Abstract: In this study, “class” is defined as social groups that share similar political and economic status and are innately connected. “Social class change” refers to the disappearance of old classes and the formation of new classes. During the early Qing, powerful chieftains in the southern ethnic frontier region were gradually replaced by the new scholar gentry class, evident from the data collected from gravestone and other commemorative inscriptions in several villages in the region. This is due to the introduction of the imperial examination system and the beginning of direct governance of Qing administration over the region. The new gentry class also helped transforming the local culture. They participated in local public affairs, built temples and brought in new cultural practices such as constructing family genealogy. All this helped promoting the integration of the frontier region for the unity of the country. It is noted in this study that regional social and cultural changes are a process of complication. On one hand, ethnic frontiers such as Guangxi were assimilated into Qing empire; on the other hand, they remained distinctively of their own, even to this day. Nevertheless, in the hierarchy of local cultural powers, the dominant uniform culture of the nation tended to win.

Key words: frontier ethnic region, gentry, genealogy of ancestors, local history, integration of country