巴蛇食象——即巴部吞併象部

Ba Tribe Conquered Xiang Tribe

"巴蛇食象"历来被当作神话。本文认为,巴蛇是巴人崇拜的图腾,实为巴部的代称。象是舜的弟弟,一个穷凶极恶之人,受封在潇湘一带,与巴为邻。两部在扩展中相遇、相斗,象部被消灭。巴将象部的骨干分子幽禁三年而释之。君子佩服这种消除心腹之患的举措。

＂Ba Snake Swallow Xiang＂has always been regarded as the myth.According to the paper, Ba Snake was the totem that Ba people respected,which was actually the name of Ba Tribe.Xiang was the younger brother of Shum,an extremely vicious person,who was appointed to stay in Xiaoxiang area, neighbore to Ba Tribe.The two tribes met and fought against each other during the expansion,with the result of Xiang Tribe being wiped out.Ba imprisoned the core members of Xiang tribe for three years and releaed them.All gentlement admire this measure removing serious hidden danger.