Study On The Ecological Concept Of Traditional Salt Production Technology In Ethnic Minority Areas Of Western Yunnan

Based on the history of the traditional salt production in western Yunnan,we discussed the ecological concept entailed in the changes of traditional salt production technologies for salt wells in western Yunnan from the perspective of ecological anthropology.Research enlightenment of the relationship between human and nature and the sustainable development of salt industry livelihood was provided.According to the collection and sorting of literature and field investigation,the traditional salt production technologies in western Yunnan have experienced three stages: salt production by carbon taking,salt production by boiling,and salt production by vacuuming.The reasons for the evolution of salt production include the population growth,the change of environment and the strict taxation.During this process,a unique ecological concept was developed.Before the Tang Dynasty,salt wells were owned by the professionals.Villagers exploited,produced and sold salt.In the traditional ecological outlook of the ethnic minorities in western Yunnan,the Salt Dragon King was regarded as the God,and temples were built to protect salt wells and forest resources.They were full of awe and love for the salt wells and forests that provided them with livelihood,and deification and respect of natural objects was their main beliefs.With the prosperity of salt industry in Ming and Qing Dynasties,new salt wells were excavated constantly,and trees around the well sites were cut recklessly to obtain salt without caring about forest resources.This resulted in the ecological imbalance and frequent ecological disasters as well as severe impediment of the salt industry.Serious destruction of ecology,limitation of salt production and the influence of foreign religious culture are the important factors to promote the development and progress of the ecological outlook of the people in western Yunnan.The ecological outlook of the people involved in the salt industry in western Yunnan has evolved from the primitive divine worship of nature to observation of the natural development law,rational development and utilization of natural resources,and maintenance of the dynamic balance between salt production and ecological environment,which is embodied in the improvement of production technology,the protection of salt wells and forests and the protection of salt wells and brine resources.The development of the ecological outlook of the salt industry is of great significance to the development of minority areas in western Yunnan and modern salt production.First,ideas of harmonious coexistence of man and nature and sustainable development of salt industry have been developed;second,for the development of local salt industry in western Yunnan,it has promoted the reform of salt production technologies,improved the quality and output of salt,and promoted the development of local economy.The ecological outlook of salt production in western Yunnan is a valuable ideology and culture handed down by the salt people in western Yunnan.By summarizing the relationship between people and the environment during salt production,we explored the value of traditional salt-making techniques and the ecological concept of environmental protection and conforming to nature embodied in the salt-making tools and methods.With national characteristics and the influence on the social customs and morality in western Yunnan,it is of great value to explore the ecological outlook.This study provides references to the local society on worsening ecological problems,promote the harmonious coexistence of man and nature,and provide reference to the rational use of resources in modern salt production technologies and the sustainable development of salt industry.