和而不同:青海多民族文化和睦相处经验考察

Harmony in Diversity:An Examination of the Harmonious Co-existence of Multi-Ethnic Cultures in Qinghai Province

多民族国家中具有不同文化传统的民族如何和睦相处,是一个世界性的难题。青海处于中原、西藏、西域、北方草原民族四大文化圈的交融地带,这里多种文化同住共存,互相采借,求同存异,生动体现了多民族文化"和而不同"的相处原则。"和而不同"中的"不同",指各民族对于自己族属及其重要文化特征稳定的认同以及这种认同受到充分的尊重;"和"体现的则是文化宽容与文化共享的情怀,它包括不同的信仰体系和文化传统在同一社会空间和平共处;各族人民具有多重的认同;有理性解决矛盾的机制等。文章还就青海形成多民族文化"和而不同"的条件和青海经验的意义进行了讨论。

The harmonious co-existence of ethnic groups with different cultures in a multi-ethnic country is a challenge worldwide.Qinghai is a province where the cultures of the Central Plains,Tibet,the Western Regions and the northern grasslands converge and merge.The friendly co-existence and mutual borrowing of diverse cultures offers a vivid demonstration of the principle of 'harmony in diversity' for multi-ethnic cultures.In six case studies in Qinghai involving Tibetan influences on ethnic Han,acculturation to Tibetan and to Han culture,and the conversion of Tibetans and Uighurs to Islam,the implications of the principle of 'harmony in diversity' for the relations among ethnic groups in Qinghai is discussed.The author argues that the 'diversity' referred to here means a stable identification with one's ethnicity and its major cultural characteristics and the respect given to such identification,while 'harmony' involves cultural tolerance and sharing,including learning from and respecting other cultures,multiple identifications among different ethnic groups,and mechanisms for the rational solution of conflicts.The article also discusses the conditions in Qinghai that have been conducive to 'harmony in diversity' among multi-ethnic cultures and the significance of the Qinghai experience.