Research on the Spread of Tea in Border Ethnic Minority Regions During the Periods of Ming,Qing and Republic of China
The"reliance on tea"among ethnic minorities in Tibet and other border regions is tightly linked to tea's health and healing properties.This tradition,established since the Tang Dynasty,served as a means for the central dynasties to exert influence over various tribes using"tea"and has been a key driver behind the enduring tea-horse trade.On one hand,"tea"had been shaped by the upper classes into an indispensable item and a cultural symbol representing a refined lifestyle,due to its u-nique material and spiritual connotations,which inspired admiration and imitation among the general populace.This allowed the authorities to seize upon tea as an opportunity to implement their political and economic control in a more subtle and moderate manner,to some extent,mitigating the potential for harsh conflicts that might arise from more direct forms of domination,and promoting interaction and development among diverse ethnic groups and regions.On the other hand,the everyday needs and ex-periences of ordinary people led them to adapt and expand the role of tea in their lives,further deepening the cultural and spiri-tual dimensions of tea culture.
万方数据
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