Minina Julia

The blackening tradition and chewing betel in Vietnam: the history, meanings, symbols

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2016, №33, 152-180

 
Annotation: The present work addresses the problem of teeth blackening and betel chewing in Vietnam. Teeth blackening as well as using mild chewing drugs were widely practiced by various ethnic groups in Southeast Asia. These two traditions are closely connected with such aspects of Vietnamese culture as social self-identification, matrimonial ceremonies, ideas of woman’s beauty, problem of gender and age. Studying the origin of these customs can be useful to understand some important cultural and social processes that took place in ancient and medieval Vietnam.

Keywords: HISTORY OF VIETNAM, WOMEN OF VIETNAM, BODY CULTURE STUDIES, TEETH BLACKEN, BETEL CHEWING