“文化编码”之间的冲突、妥协与混杂:晚清上海租界的爆竹

Fireworks in the International Settlement of Shanghai in Late Qing

晚清上海华洋杂居,西人居民将爆竹声视为需要遏制的噪音妨碍,工部局也制定了相应的法规限制华人燃放爆竹,华人居民则以种种方式在租界设定的新规中尽量延续旧日风俗。然而,华洋的文化差异也并非不可逾越。华人精英用自己的方式理解租界禁燃爆竹的规定,并劝导民众遵守。春节期间工部局则会顺应华人风俗暂时弛禁,在租界的西人也逐渐形成新的放爆竹习俗。从晚清上海华洋居民燃放爆竹的习俗演变可见,在日常生活中,中西文化既有冲突又有妥协,而近代上海种种中西混杂的新观念和习俗正是在双方的互动和误解中形成的。

The Chinese and foreigners shared the same urban space in Shanghai in the late Qing.The former regarded the sound of fireworks as something symbolizing happiness and prospect,whereas the latter denounced it as a noisy nuisance that should be banned by the Municipal Council of the International Settlement.For this reason,the Council laid down restrictions on firecrackers use.Despite this,an intercultural fusion took place in the shared space.Chinese elites demonstrated that the restriction was a policy whereby the danger of fire could be reduced and dissuaded the Chinese from igniting fireworks at will.Meanwhile,the Council allowed the Chinese to detonate fireworks to celebrate the New Year and in doing so it showed respect for the Chinese custom.This indicated that there were intercultural conflicts and compromises in the early modern Shanghai's everyday life,wherein a hybrid,unique urban culture was taking shape in constant cultural interactions.