Running head: CULTURES IN THE SILK ROAD Cultures connected on the silk roads, leading to new variations Ragdan Hameed Professor George Gastil History 100 (The Silk Road) July 18,2017 Hameed1 CULTURES IN THE SILK ROAD Hameed2 The Silk Road has been used symbolically to represent the route used during a cultural exchange. The cultures were transferred to people interacted through trade. The trade route, referred as the Silk Road acted as the conduit or channel where ancient people from as far as the Mediterranean Sea traded in China. The trade emerged with the aspiration of Chinese to own horses. Xinru Liu elaborates that this long-distance trade involving luxury goods emerged. It was during the late third century BCE after the conquest of Mongol. The following is a thematic analysis of the Silk Road. It will show the cultural exchange that occurred on the Silk Road. Liu outlines that the desperate need for a heavenly horse by China paved the way for this trade. Here traders from Central Asia brought the horses and brought other exotic products. Consequently, the ambitions by the Roman Empire and high demand for Chinese silk responded to this trade exploration. As trade expanded, there was cultural exchange. For instance, the intermediaries from Kushan Empire introduced Buddhism in China. The missionaries and pilgrims facilitated the construction and discovery of cave temples along the mountainous routes. They later constructed temples along monasteries in various oases and urban areas. These formed the backbone of the Silk Road. The Silk Road was the bridge for cultural transit between west and east. Throughout the book, cultural exchange is evident with the weak cultures being eroded adopting the new cultures. The changes that occurred facilitated by the Silk Road include CULTURES IN THE SILK ROAD Hameed3 religion, sericulture, art, music, dances, and theater performances. These areas recorded the noticeable and massive changes. Buddhism was introduced through the Silk Road. The intermediaries from Kushan Empire traded this religion in China and aided in the construction of temples. Initially, they used designated caves as the temples, which were mostly along mountainous regions. Later, with urbanization as trade expanded, there was the construction of temples and Buddhism was adopted as the new religion. The Chinese denounced their cultural religion and became Buddhists. Liu states that this religion spread with ease as the Silk Road became famous. The China's traditional religion was replaced easily as many different people from West traded their religion here. The art and architecture recorded massive changes. China slowly adopted the foreign art. The book illustrates how the building art of Rome penetrated main areas of East and adopted its architecture. The art of wall painting was also exchanged during this trade. China for a long time had monopolized the concept of sericulture and silk weaving. In fact, silk trade was the backbone product of this trade. It was then traded to Khotan, Central Asia, Iran, and Byzantium by the 6th century. China also imported the art of glass making in the 5th century. It was imported from the Mediterranean countries. Universally, there was a cultural exchange in aspects of music and dancing. These were exchanged across all cultures as people learned new styles and moves. Styles like the Eastern Turkestan were initially popular in China and adopted by Turkish. The traditional music like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Kashgar was owned by India. The music during this cultural exchange CULTURES IN THE SILK ROAD Hameed4 period was merged with those of China. The choreographic of China also found contributions of actors like Sogdian, Turkic, and Iranian. The book notes that music and dance plays a significant role in the growth of cultures. Theater performance emerged during this period as people from different areas and empires exchanged arts. The art of theater performance was introduced to act as a channel to display different talents and moves. They were also used as entertainment areas as people come together in an urban area. The book also illustrates numerous materials as proof of intercultural enrichment. The cultures that engaged in this trade had their cultures enriched by the introduction of new symbols, dancers like Tan terra cotta, masked actors, musical groups, and entertainment activities like camel riding. These activities found roots across almost every cultural group. Liu says that these activities were imported from Mediterranean countries. Important cultural activities created a good face for the Silk Road. They also promoted unity among the participants. There were also intermarriages as sometimes traders, actors, or dancers from Northern part could be gifted with girls from East. Liu presents a rich cultural development. From the analysis of the above activities, it can be seen that there were massive cultural exchanges. Each empire or kingdom that participated in this trade had its culture impacted positively or negatively. Liu says that most of the cultures tried to identify abundant activities, norms, and values that were compatible with their cultures. Consequently, there was the creation of a vibrant culture characterized by a combination of practices from different areas. Liu in Silk CULTURES IN THE SILK ROAD Hameed5 Road capitalizes of the important aspects that were exchanged limiting himself on the details of the cultures that were eroded. It can be argued that cultures like traditional China were eroded and were reconstructed using imported values. From religion and temples to introduction of new choreography indicated the development of a new culture. References Liu, X. (2010). ​The Silk Road in world history​. Oxford University Press. Christian, D. (2000). Silk roads or steppe roads? The silk roads in world history. ​Journal of world history​, ​11​(1), 1-26. Liu, X. (2001). The Silk Road: overland trade and cultural interactions in Eurasia. ​Agricultural and Pastoral Societies in Ancient and Classical History​, ​79​, 151. The Silk Roads A Brief History with Documents Xintu Li Prime **** (6 Reviews)
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