Symbolism, Use, and Knowledge of Birds in Tibetan Communities of China

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12419160
AutoresYuanyuan Ji (0000-0002-5258-3522, Ethnobiological Research Group, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China Beijing China, autor correspondente), Shuping Zhang (0000-0002-1926-5469, Ethnobiological Research Group, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China Beijing China), Selena Ahmed (0000-0001-5779-0697, The Food and Health Lab, Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University Bozeman, MT USA), Feifei Li (0000-0001-9709-8937, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences), Jianqin Li (0000-0002-0881-5605, Minzu University of China), Hang Shu (Ethnobiological Research Group, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China Beijing China), Weijuan Huang (0000-0003-1181-3667, Ethnobiological Research Group, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China Beijing China), Ren Guo-ying (Minzu University of China), Guoying Ren (School of Ethnology and Sociology, Minzu University of China Beijing China), Chunlin Long (0000-0002-6573-6049, Ethnobiological Research Group, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China Beijing)
Ano2022
Volume31
Fascículo3
Páginas281-306
Data de publicação2022-09-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociety and Animals (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1063-1119 • E-ISSN: 1568-5306
EditoraBrill (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1163/15685306-00001961
OpenAlexW4294415812
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas9

Birds are valued in the traditional cultures of Tibetan areas of China for symbolism, spirituality, and medicine. A total of 329 informants from six Tibetan communities were interviewed through ethnobiological survey methods. Results highlight that Tibetan informants value a diversity of birds for multiple symbolic purposes including spirituality, a good harvest, happiness, fortune, beauty, glory, and omens. Over 20 avian species including eagles, crows, pheasants, and red-breasted parakeets were perceived as totems, taboos, and holy birds. Findings revealed that three vulture species ( Gyps himalayensis, Gyps fulvus, and Gypaetus barbatus ) are the most important avian species because of their sacred roles in celestial burial. A total of 27 bird species were recorded as being used as traditional medicine. The high valuation of birds in Tibetan culture has likely contributed to the transmission of traditional knowledge regarding birds as well as to the conservation of bird biodiversity in the study area

Archaeology · Biodiversity · Biology · China · Geography · Happiness · Indigenous · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Spirituality · Traditional knowledge · Animal and Plant Science Education · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Primate Behavior and Ecology · Psychology · Social Psychology · Ecology