明代乌江流域土家族地区教育发展初探

On the Education Development of Tujia Areas in Wujiang River Valley in Ming Dynasty

明代的乌江流域,土家等少数民族人口占主体地位,各民族都有自己相对独立的语言,生产力水平低,加上交通条件差,远离中原及江浙等经济文化发达地区,是全国典型的落后地区。但乌江流域的公办教育事业,却在明代起步并得到了较快发展,从而使土家族地区迈开了追赶中原地区的步伐,为乌江流域的社会经济发展发挥了积极作用:一是乌江航道开发,为密切乌江流域土家族群众与外界交流提供了便利条件;二是明代中央政府对教育的重视,从制度上保障了教育在乌江流域的推广;三是贵州建省和开科乡试,使乌江流域教育发展得到提速。

Wujiang River Valley,where minority like Tujia was in a principal status while they have independent languages,was a typical backward region in Ming Dynasty because of its low level of productive forces,inconvenient transportation,and long distance from developed areas of economy and culture,such as Central Plains,Jiangsu and Zhejiang province.However,Tujia regions quikened their pace to catch up Central Plains in that public education in Wujiang River valley started and developed quickly in Ming Dynasty,which promoted the economy development of society in Wujiang River valley.On one hand,the exploration fo Wujiang River lanes provided convenience for close communication between Tujia people in Wujiang River valley and outside world.On the other hand,central government＇s emphasis on education in Ming Dynasty guaranteed the extension of education in this valley from the perspective of system.Furthermore,establishment of Guizhou province and the start of triennial examination fastened education development in Wujiang River valley.