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Dibao facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Dibao (pronounced dee-bow), sometimes called headmen or constables, were important local officials in Qing and early Republican China. They were usually chosen from well-known landowners in their communities.

These officials worked in areas with about 100 households. Their main jobs included looking after land borders and helping to settle arguments about land. They also officially approved all real estate deeds (documents showing who owns land) and collected land taxes. Sometimes, they even oversaw small punishments, like using a cangue (a wooden collar).

Challenges They Faced

As foreign missionaries and business people gained the right to own property in China, the dibao sometimes faced difficult situations. This happened because of special agreements called unequal treaties. They could get caught between the demands of these foreigners and their own Chinese bosses. An example of this was during the building of the Woosung Road.

A Long History

The dibao managed villages as part of China's regular government system. A similar job, called the shoubao (pronounced show-bow), was created in 1725. This role was specifically for managing the Eight Banners, which was a special military and social system.

The dibao were not new. They followed a long line of similar local leaders from earlier Chinese empires. These included the tingzhang from the Qin and Han dynasties, the lizheng from the Sui and Tang dynasties, and the baozheng from the Song dynasty. Sometimes, the dibao were even called baozheng or dijia.

Changes Over Time

After the year 1900, the role of the dibao slowly started to change. They began to be replaced by new officials called cunzheng. These new officials had less independence. This change was not fully finished until the Republican era, when China became a republic.

See also

  • village (China)
  • village head
  • notary public
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