Chinese Bird Imports from Maritime Southeast Asia, c. 1000-1500

Abstract

This article, which is mostly based on Song, Yuan and early Ming sources, investigates a neglected chapter in animal and trade history – China’s import of exotic birds from Southeast Asia. From a commercial point of view the exchange of rare animals across Asia’s maritime spaces was negligible, but not infrequently, “ rare commodities” left a strong visible impact on the recipient culture ; one may treat this as a longue durée phenomenon in the Braudelian sense. That also applies to the case of precious birds, which were kept as pets in China, inspiring the literary elite to produce pictures and poems. At the same time, avian products came to be used in medicine, for decorative purposes and in other ways. The article, organised in the form of a “ commodity study”, contains separate chapters on various creatures such as huoji (cassowaries ?), hornbills, “ talking birds”, kingfishers, etc. Each section establishes a structured panorama of why and when particular birds / bird products were sent to China – and thus, how Southeast Asia contributed to making life in China more colourful.