an ancient tree. Wu Jinyin - Wu revolted in the 1740 to resist grain taxes, but was killed in 1741. Popular folk tales are listed below. They can be found in The Kam People of China by D. Norman Geary. The two orphan brothers The unfriendly eldest brother Ding Lang and the dragon princess Zhu Lang and Niang Mei Shan Lang and E Mei Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai Suo Lao Mei Dao The frog and the swallow (rice agriculture tale) The dog (rice agriculture tale) The singing tree (origin of singing tale) Liang Niangni (origin of singing tale) Lou Niang (drum tower tale) Society Kam clans are known as dou and are further divided into ji, gong, and households (known as "kitchens"), respectively from largest to smallest in size. Village elders were traditionally the village leaders, although the government replaced these elders with village heads from 1911 to 1949. Kam society was also traditionally matriarchal, as can be evidenced by the cult of the goddess Sa Sui (Geary 2003:88). Before the advent of the Han Chinese, the Kam had no surnames, instead distinguishing each other by their fathers' names. Kam common law is known as kuan and is practiced at four levels. Single village Several villages Single township / entire local rural area Multiple townships / large portion of the Kam population Courtship and marriage Traditional courtship consists of three phases: Early meeting phase where men and women sing songs and recite poems to one another. Deepening love phase where the courtship is one-to-one and the songs are more spontaneous. Exchanging a token phase where a man gives a woman a gift, with the woman expected to make excuses to test her suitor. The token is usually a minor gift without much monetary value. However, it is highly important symbolically, as it is the equivalent of an engagement ring in Western cultures. Weddings last three days and are first held at the bride's family's home. The bride is later sent to the groom's home, where an afternoon reception and all-night feast then ensue. The next day there is a "blocking the horse" ceremony where the hosts block the guests while singing songs. The bride typically resides at her parents' house for a few months or even years. Silver jewellery is passed onto the bride by her mother. Birth The birth of a child is complemented by the following events: