China, a pluralistic and integrated ancient civilization, has 5,000 years of splendid culture and rich and colorful national traditions. In this big family, 56 ethnic groups live in harmony, each with its own unique culture and Xi customs. As an important part of national culture, food culture is even more diverse and distinctive.
Tibetans don't eat fish, Manchus don't eat dog meat, and Han people actually have traditional Xi customs that taboo food, but under the impact of modern society, these Xi customs are gradually being forgotten.
The deep affection of the Manchus with dogs
The Manchus, as an important ethnic group in China, have a history dating back thousands of years. In the long-term fishing and hunting life, the dog is the loyal companion and right-hand man of the Manchu people. Whether it's tracking down prey while hunting or caring for a home in life, dogs play an indispensable role.
Therefore, in the traditional Xi of the Manchu people, the dog is regarded as one of the family members and enjoys a high status. The Manchu people not only do not eat dog meat, but also have a deep affection for dogs. This sentiment is also reflected in many Manchu myths, legends and folk tales, where dogs are often portrayed as a symbol of loyalty and bravery.
However, with the changes in society and the influence of foreign cultures, the traditional Xi of the Manchus not eating dog meat began to be challenged in some regions and groups. Some young people's awareness of this traditional Xi has gradually faded, and even the phenomenon of eating dog meat has appeared. This is undoubtedly an impact and forgetfulness of the traditional Manchu culture.
The indissoluble bond between Tibetans and fish
The Tibetan relationship with fish is deeply rooted in the abundant freshwater fish resources of the Tibetan plateau. This unique dietary Xi originated in ancient times, and to understand the Tibetan people's indissoluble bond with fish, we need to delve into the combined influence of multiple factors such as history, culture, religion and geography.
First, archaeological findings suggest that the ancient Tibetans relied on fishing for their livelihoods as early as 7,000 years ago in the Neolithic Age. During that period, fish was part of their food source, and ancient Tibetans who lived near highland lakes and rivers caught fish to meet their daily food needs. This suggests that fish once played an important role in the Tibetan diet.
However, over time, Tibetans have developed a dietary tradition of not eating fish. An important reason for this is the presence of schizophrenia. This fish lives in highland lakes and is highly toxic. In ancient times, Tibetans did not understand schizophrenia and were poisoned by accidental ingestion. This fear and perception of the dangers of fish has become a major reason for them to gradually move away from fish.
Religion and culture also play an important role in the dietary choices of Tibetans. The Buddhist philosophy of "not killing" has had a profound impact on the daily lives of Tibetans.
According to Buddhist teachings, eating fish is tantamount to committing a large number of killings at one time compared to slaughtering other animals with thousands of eggs in the womb of a female fish. Therefore, in order to reduce the harm to life, Tibetans choose to avoid fish and meat, and avoid the number of killings as much as possible, so as to reduce the accumulation of karma.
In addition, the tradition of water burial in Tibetan areas has also deepened the Tibetan people's reverence for fish. In this tradition, many Tibetans throw their bodies into rivers or lakes after death to be devoured by fish in order to achieve spiritual transcendence. In this cultural environment, eating fish is equivalent to eating one's own ancestors, so respecting and staying away from fish has also become a moral concept.
Taboos and changes in Han food culture
As the largest ethnic group in China, the Han nationality has a profound and long-standing food culture. In the food tradition of the Han people, there are also many taboos and taboos. These taboos and taboos not only reflect the Han people's pursuit of health, but also reflect the reverence for nature and respect for life.
In ancient Chinese society, agriculture was the main industry that supported the entire country, and cattle were the most important agricultural labor. Niu Li helped people to complete the cultivation and promoted the development of agriculture. Due to the importance attached to cattle by the imperial court, the slaughter of cattle without permission was clearly stipulated in the law.
The laws of the Tang Dynasty directly stipulated that the slaughter of cattle without permission was punishable by two and a half years in prison. Even the ruling class could not slaughter cattle at will, and this decree had a direct impact on the eating Xi habits of ordinary people. This kind of law is not only for the protection of cattle, but also for the consideration of social stability.
This decree led to a folk tradition of taboo on beef. There is an old saying: "Princes do not kill cattle for no reason". Even if a cow dies a natural cause, people do not dare to eat its meat for fear of being damned. This reverence and avoidance of cattle has formed the Xi of the Han people not eating beef.
In the traditional food culture of the Han Chinese, certain animals such as turtles and snakes are considered spiritual creatures, and it is considered unlucky to eat them. In addition, some specific food combinations are also considered unhealthy, such as "pork should not be eaten with water chestnut", "chicken should not be eaten with mustard", etc. These taboos and taboos are reflected in the folk beliefs of the Han people and in the theories of traditional Chinese medicine.
However, with the acceleration of modernization and the impact of foreign food culture, the traditional dietary taboos of the Han nationality have been largely forgotten. Many young people have little or no knowledge of these traditional dietary taboos. This phenomenon is not only a kind of forgetting of the traditional culture of the Han people, but also has a certain impact on the physical and mental health of the Han people.
The dilution of traditional Xi and the inheritance of culture
With the advancement of social change and modernization, traditional Xi customs have gradually faded in some areas, and the inheritance of culture has also faced some challenges in the process. The dilution of traditional Xi is partly due to changes in social structures, lifestyles and values. In modern society, people pay more attention to individual rights and freedoms, and the restrictive nature of some traditional Xi no longer meets the needs of contemporary society, so they are gradually distanced.
Whether it is the Tibetan people's abstinence from eating fish and meat, the Manchus' abstinence from eating dog meat, or the various dietary taboos of the Han people, these traditional Xi customs are an important part of their respective ethnic cultures and carry rich historical and cultural information. However, under the impact of modern society, these traditional Xi customs are gradually being forgotten or even forgotten, which is undoubtedly a loss of national cultural diversity.
This trend of dilution is also affected by urbanization and globalization. With the expansion of cities and the increase in international exchanges, city dwellers are more likely to be exposed to diverse cultural elements, and traditional Xi may be replaced by more modern and cosmopolitan cultures in the process. In addition, the younger generation may have a lower degree of identification with traditional Xi practices, resulting in a relative weakening of the performance of these Xi practices in daily life.
However, despite the dilution of traditional Xi practices, the transmission of culture continues on some levels. This is made possible by the efforts of a number of cultural institutions, education systems and community organizations that are committed to the transmission and promotion of traditional culture. Cultural heritage is promoted in schools, museums, art groups, and other venues, where people can better understand and experience the essence of traditional culture through education, performances, and exhibitions.
In addition, some families and communities are also focusing on the inheritance of traditional culture. In the family, parents pass on traditional values and cultural connotations to their children through daily words and deeds, family activities, etc. Traditional festivals and cultural activities organized by community organizations also provide opportunities for residents to participate and Xi, which contributes to the inheritance of traditional culture in the community.
epilogue
Under the impact of modern society, these traditional Xi customs are gradually being forgotten, and we need to strengthen the protection and inheritance of national traditional culture. Let these precious cultural heritages glow with new vitality and vitality in the new era. Only in this way can we better preserve the diversity of national cultures. Promote the prosperity and development of Chinese culture.