凉山彝区与欧美地区“外游”客源间的双向禁忌

Mutual Taboos between the Liangshan Yi and European Tourists

凉山之"凉"、月城之幽蜚声中外,随着我国与全球大多数国家综合关系的不断改善,随着全球变暖和生态条件的日渐衰败,清凉秀美、民风独特的凉山彝族地区业已成为吸引全球客源的重要旅游目的地。凉山彝区与欧美地区超长距大跨度的自然地理、人文民风差别虽然是吸引国际旅游客源的重要因素,但也必然会在宗教背景、审美情趣、饮食起居、行为礼仪、民俗民风等方面出现相克相悖的现象。本文从"客源"(欧美)、"目的"(凉山)两地宗教、习俗等民族文化差异的角度切入,重点对欧美基督教区域游客在凉山彝区"外游"诸环节中的"双向禁忌"做出分析探讨。

With China's promotion to establish comprehensive relations with other countries,and with the sustainable development of transportation and tourism in western China,the Liangshan Yi area,because of its beautiful natural environment and unique culture,has become a tourist attraction.1.The Dual Charm of the Yi Area for International Tourists China is a unified multi-ethnic country,and the world is also composed of multiple-nationalities and multiple cultures.Although cultures might be isolated from each other,and conduct their affairs independently,they are also integrated,and intermix constantly.This is a general rule in the evolution of the relationship between different cultures,and the international tourism industry should follow this rule.Liangshan is one main area dominated by the Yi for generations.The natural landscape there is very typical and attractive.Except the beautiful scenery,Liangshan is also well-known for the unique Yi culture.Through generations' effort,the Yi has created a very splendid cultural system,which includes their unique language and writing system,traditional costume,construction,unique color aesthetics,music and dance,craft,ethnic jewelry,literary epic,religious ethics,and diet etc.Hence,the Liangshan Yi area has a dual charm for international tourists due to its attractive natural spots and unique culture.In looking at the situation of the international tourist in the Liangshan Yi area during the past 20years,the travel purpose of the tourists could be classified as follows:those who come for scenic spots( 53.1%);for historical sites( 45.%);for folk customs( 35.3%);for food( 30.4%);for culture and arts( 26.3);and for tourism shopping( 25.5%).From the information given above,we see again that the most important elements for the attraction of the Yi area for international tourists is its splendid natural and cultural resources.2.The Origin,Function and Characteristics of Eastern and Western Taboos Looking from the perspective of dialectical historical materialism and Eastern cultural customs,taboo is a general name given to various restrictions regarding conceptions and habits related to social production,social life,spiritual belief,etc.The formation of a taboo is closely related to social function.In term of the taboo' s relationship to culture,it could be described as 'ethnic culture — traditional culture — folklore and custom — ethnic taboo'.An ethnic taboo is a double-edged sword.It includes not only cultural phenomena which contain philosophy,religion,morality,specificity of geography and a 'baseline principle' all of which are beneficial for production and living,and for the prosperity of the nationality,but it also harmonizes comprehensive relations between the nature,society and individual,and plays a positive role,to a certain degree,in integrating society,drawing on advantages and avoiding disadvantages.The essential nature of taboo is'conservatism'and strong'exclusiveness'.There is an obvious religious orientation and regional format in the taboos that exist in Western folk culture which is dominated by Christianity.Those Western cultural taboos which derived from the divine prin-ciples of 'Lord Jesus ' are completely different from those which come from an oriental cultural background.As for theory,the first essential feature of the cultural taboos of various ethnic groups in the world is its locality and nationality.There are three factors in the formation of this feature:religion,natural environment and social environment.The contradiction between Oriental and the Western taboos originates,on one hand,from the 'locality'and'nationality' of the taboo;but,on the other hand,it derives from that fact that Western taboos mostly stem from the 'national religion ',i.e.Christianity.3.Contradictions between the Folk Customs of the West and the Yi( 1)Toasting and Awkward Moments-Differences in Drinking and Food Taboos between the Yi and Europeans Differences in drinking customs and taboos:Western guests prefer to drink wine,and although they are able to drink a little liqueur when they come to the Yi area,their drinking customs differ from the Yi' s.First,Western guests are not used to being urged to drink,and the Yi' s drinking custom of urging people to drink usually makes the 'guests'feel embarrassed.Second,Western guests usually do not fill the cup to the brim with alcohol.The Yi' s custom is completely the opposite.The procedure of pouring wine is also totally different.For the Yi,you pour the wine by linking arms,forming the shape of a cross.This is not suitable within Western eating customs.Finally,Yi traditionally did not encourage 'bottoms up 'toasting( i.e.drinking the full cup).whereas,Western guests enjoy this custom.Differences and taboos in both dietary content and dietary habits:The Yi have unrestrained and frank dietary customs which is inconsistent with the custom of many Western people to eat ' light and healthy'food.However,a unique dietary customs of the Yi could be summed up as follows:a)the guests should not 'clean up their plates '.Usual-ly,two pieces of chicken,three to five pieces of beef,lamb or pork,1/3 bowl of steamed rice are left.However,European and American tourists prefer to' eat up everything on their plates ',and do 'not want to waste';b).The Yi abstain from dining together with the Bimo( shaman).Women,especially,should not touch or even walk close to the ritual instruments and tableware of the Bimo.If they do,it will make the gods angry,and bring misfortune and disaster.However,western custom means that tourists adhere to the principle of 'Ladies First';c).The Yi also have a taboo which prohibits adult woman climbing trees to pick fruit.This is considered as an 'unlucky thing'.Westerners,however,emphasize the importance of participation.( 2)Contradictions of Cultural Aesthetic Taboos between Westerners and the Yi The two-directioned taboos must be paid attention to when westerners travel in the Yi area.This is because of the strong folklore differences between the two sides:a).the taboo custom related to rock painting.In some Yi areas,no one is allowed to walk close to rock paintings.This creates a problem because Western people are generally movitvated to seek for things that are 'old'and 'novel'.B).The sacred taboo custom 'tian pusa'( Heavenly Bodhisattva)has gradually changed into a taboo of touching a man' s hair or head.Westerners,however,are deeply influenced by the Christian ' s way of expression'love',where'God expresses his love by touching one' s head and shoulder'.Moreover,most western tourists are outgoing,and have a very rich'body language'.They customarily show their kindness and friendship by hugging,and patting someone on the head.C).'Taboo to women regarding the Pavilion '.This taboo,which forbids women to go upstairs,is completely contrary to western people' s pursuit of 'seeing and practicing '.d).The Yi people have a very unique'color preference'.They like the colors of black and blue,and prefer that red lines transect the two main colors.However,this kind of color aesthetic is not suitable for international guests,and does not have a 'market'value with them.E).The Yi people respect and worship the dragon,phoenix,and peacock.However,western people's aesthetic perspective is different from the Yi' s.Looking from the perspective of ethnology,sociology and economics,ethnic 'differences'is not equivalent to ethnic 'exclusion'.It is,instead is an inducement to promote mutual attraction,understanding,and fusion among various nationalities.This is turn can help people to coexist in a friendly manner,and develop together.The majority of China' s international tourists are from Asia,with some from Europe and North America.If China and the Western countries can enhance advantages and avoid disadvantages,understand and respect each other' s unique cultural core and folk customs,the numbers of Western tourists in the Yi area will be definitely expand,and all-round international cooperation,including tourism,investment and trade,between the Western countries and the Yi area will be improved.As a result,the society of Liangshan Yi will be more open,the economics will develop quickly and its international fame will be promoted.Admitting the 'differences',understanding the 'taboos',and seeking common points of understanding between the differences,avoiding unfavorable things,and,finally,maintaining a harmonious relationship between the hosts and the guests,is a long-lasting,and detailed task for the Liangshan Yi.In doing so,they will attract more high-quality international tourists.