“中国认同”廿四味

自 1 9世纪末以来 ,香港的凉茶铺在香港人的生活、社会关系的交往以及文化的认同上起着重要的作用。通过对凉茶铺历史的简要回顾 ,可以揭示出香港人身份认同的有趣过程。 2 0世纪 90年代凉茶铺的再次流行可以看做是香港人在经历 1 5 0年的英国统治后回归祖国的思乡情结 ,它标志着香港人在重新寻找对中国文化的认同

Imbibing Chinese Identity:Herbal Tea Shops in Hong Kong

This article seeks to portray the development of herbal tea shops in Hong Kong in a period of rapid social and economic changes.Since the end of 19th century,herbal tea shops in Hong Kong have played many a role that contributies to its people's health conditions,social cohesion,and cultural identity.A brief social history of herbal tea shops,their image and functions,reveals a most interesting process of identity negotiation and construction among Hong Kong Chinese .The revival of herbal tea shops that reached a peak in the 1990s may be interpreted as a nostalgic movement among Hong Kong Chinese that arises in response to the prospect of returning to the 'motherland' after 150 years of British rule.To affirm their Chinese identity,aromantic past has emerged to appeal to the population.Herbal tea shops,reconstructed and re-identified,have become part of this nostalgia,a yearning for a secure yesterday to conuter-balance an uncertain tomorrow.