ECOLOGICAL SYMBOLS CONVEYING CULTURAL MEANINGS IN LITERARY WORK OF A LAI DURING 2007 – 2022

Abstract

        This article aims to study ecological symbols that convey cultural meanings in literary work of A Lai, during 2017 to 2022. Concepts of symbols and cultural ecology are applied to analyze the studied works. Research findings are reported as a descriptive analysis.
        Three aspects of ecological symbols conveying cultural meanings are found, as follows. 1) An aspect of beliefs, burning fire is the symbol referring to beliefs in gods in the nature, forest and mountain spirits, and Golden Duck, the guardian god; Cordyceps is the symbol of beliefs in forest and mountain spirits; and Pine Tree of Min River is the symbol referring to legends and Buddhism. 2) An aspect of traditional Tibetan ways of life, the deserted land is the symbol conveying the changing of traditional Tibetan ways of life, from farmers to traders of natural resources; and the deforested mountain is the symbol of developing of community tourism and migrating of youths into cities for careers. 3) An aspect of ethnicity, Matsutake is the symbols connoting the changing relation between Tibetan ethnical groups with the nature; thunder storm is the symbol referring to natural resource conflicts between Tibetan ethnical groups with the Han tribal. From literary work studied of A Lai, it is observed that A Lai applies ecological symbols as key techniques to show complicated relationships between humans, the nature, and culture in the changing social and economic contexts. Also, the role of literature in creating awareness in balancing and sustainable living with the nature is reflected.