Ba–Shu culture

Ba–Shu culture (Chinese: 巴蜀文化; pinyin: Bāshǔ wénhuà) is a regional culture from Sichuan province and Chongqing city. It also includes parts of Yunnan, Guizhou, and southwestern Shaanxi (especially Hanzhong). This culture grew up around the Yangtze River. It began when the cultures of the Shu and Ba kingdoms joined together after the state of Qin took control in 316 BC.

Pattern of the Golden Sun Bird discovered at Jinsha site, a symbol of the Ba–Shu culture and believed to be a totem of the ancient Shu people. It has been designated a symbol for the Chinese culture as a whole by the Chinese government.

There are old stories that connect Sichuan to the Yellow River area, but real historical records about this place are rare before 316 BC. Before that time, ancient writings often thought of Sichuan as far from the main areas of ancient Chinese culture. The people of Ba and Shu could read and write in Old Chinese. They also used three special kinds of writing called the Ba–Shu scripts, which we still do not fully understand.

Important discoveries at places like Sanxingdui in 1986 and Jinsha in 2001 show that Ba–Shu culture is very old — more than three to four thousand years. Because of this, some historians think Ba–Shu culture might be closely related to ancient China or even one of the places where Chinese civilisation and culture began. Today, Ba–Shu culture is still well-known for its cuisine and Sichuan opera.

Origins

The large bronze figure from Sanxingdui which has been interpreted as a representation of a high priest or a priest-king of ancient Shu.

The kingdom of Shu started from the Sanxingdui culture and grew from the 2nd millennium BC until the State of Qin took it over in 316 BC. Shu was good at making metal things, like bronze. Many important items were found at Sanxingdui and Jinsha, such as bronze statues, heads, masks, bronze trees, daggers, pottery, and the Golden Sun Bird.

The Ba culture and the State of Ba were in the Three Gorges area. The Ba people liked the white tiger and made bronze items that looked like it. They liked performing arts, such as dances and music. But we know little about Ba culture because its items mixed with those of nearby kingdoms, and there are no old writings from the time of the Shang dynasty.

Traditional language

Main articles: Sichuanese dialects, Sichuanese characters, and Ba–Shu Chinese

Ba–Shu pictographic scripts

Ancient writing system

Main article: Ba–Shu scripts

Architecture

Sichuanese architecture

Further information: Sichuanese garden

The Ba–Shu culture has special architecture that shows the spirit of the people in Sichuan and Chongqing. This style started when the Shu and Ba kingdoms joined a larger country in 316 BC. The buildings use local materials and designs that fit the climate and landscape of the area.

Visual arts

Main articles: Shu embroidery and Sanxingdui

Performing arts

Main article: Sichuan opera

Main article: Music of Sichuan

Main article: Shu school

Clothing

Main article: Clothing in ancient Shu

The Ba–Shu culture was in the area around Sichuan and Chongqing. People there had their own special way of dressing. They made clothes that showed their creativity and traditions. These clothes were important to their culture and connected them to their past.

Cuisine

Main article: Sichuan cuisine

Sichuan cuisine is known for its strong flavors and spicy taste. Some popular dishes are:

Tea culture

Main article: Mengding Ganlu tea

The Ba–Shu culture loves tea, especially a special tea called Mengding Ganlu tea. This tea is very famous and has been enjoyed by people for many years. It shows how important tea is to the people in Sichuan and Chongqing.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Sichuan

People in Sichuan have believed in many different things over time. Some of the big beliefs they have followed are Christianity, Islam, and Zoroastrianism. These beliefs helped make the spiritual life of the area very rich.