Los Beidi o Di del norte (北狄: bárbaros del norte) era como se denominaban varios grupos étnicos que vivían en el norte de China durante la dinastía Zhou. El final de su dinastía corresponde a su conquista o absorción por los chinos. Los antiguos chinos denominaban a sus vecinos refiriéndose a las direcciones geográficas los Siyi (四夷) "Cuatro bárbaros", los mismos comprendían los Beidi, Nanman, Dongyi y Xirong. Los cuatro nombres o la combinación de ellos, como por ejemplo 'Yi-Di' a menudo eran utilizados como sinónimo de "bárbaros". El "Registro de Ritos" denominado Liji, brinda detalles de los estereotipos antiguos sobre los Siyi que rodeaban China. «Los pueblos de aquellas cinco regiones – Los Estados del Medio, y los [Rong], [Yi], (y otras tribus salvajes en su entorno) – tenían sus características y hábitos propios. Las tribus al este eran los [Yi]. Llevaban el pelo suelto, y sus cuerpos tatuados. Algunos consumían alimentos crudos. Los ubicados al sur eran denominados Man. Se tatuaban su frente, y forzaban a sus pies de forma que estuvieran doblados enfrentándose. Algunos también consumían alimentos crudos. Aquellos por el oeste se denominaban [Rong]. Llevaban el pelo suelto y se cubrían con pieles. Algunos no consumían granos. Aquellos ubicados al norte se denominaban [Di]. Usaban pieles de animales y aves, y moraban en cuevas. Algunos de ellos no consumían alimentos a base de granos. Los pueblos de los Estados del Medio, y los de [Yi], Man, [Rong], y [Di], tenían sus guaridas donde vivían de forma confortable; sus propios sabores culinarios; ropajes característicos; implementos y herramientas propios; y cuencos los cuales fabricaban en grandes cantidades. En aquellas cinco regiones, los idiomas de estos pueblos no podían ser comprendidos entre ellos, y sus preferencias y deseos eran diferentes. Para expresar sus pensamientos, y comunicar sus deseos y preferencias, (había oficiales) – que en el este eran denominados transmisores; en el sur representacionistas; en el oeste [Di-dis]; y en el norte intérpretes.» Los Di habitaron en una franja horizontal desde la zona de Ordos Loop superior y por el norte de Shanxi hasta el estado de Yan al norte de Beijing. Esta era una zona de transición entre la civilización china emergente y los pueblos de las estepas al norte. Su economía habría estado basada en una mezcla de pastoreo, agricultura y caza. Parecería que otros grupos de Di vivieron intercalados entre los estados chinos. Al norte de los mismos se encontraba la emergente sociedad de la estepa a quienes posteriormente denominarían el pueblo Hu. Al suroeste de Rong vivían a lo largo de la frontera noroeste de China. A menudo los Di y los Rong han sido asociados y ambos son considerados más guerreros y menos civilizados que los Yi y los Man. Los Di tenían poblados amurallados y peleaban a pie. A menudo eran enemigos y a veces aliados de los diversos estados chinos. Existen registros sobre comercio, tratados, alianzas selladas con matrimonios y políticos chinos exiliándose entre los Di.

Leer el artículo completo en Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA

The Beidi or Northern Di (Chinese: 北狄; pinyin: Běidí; Wade–Giles: Pei-ti; literally: "Northern Barbarians") was a term referring to various ethnic groups who lived in northern China during the Zhou Dynasty. By the end of the dynasty they were mostly conquered or absorbed by the Chinese. The ancient Chinese classed their neighbors by compass direction as the Siyi (四夷) "Four Barbarians", comprising the Beidi, Nanman, Dongyi and Xirong. The four names, or combinations of them like 'Yi-Di' are often used to mean "barbarians". The Liji "Record of Rites" details ancient stereotypes about the Siyi "Four Barbarians" surrounding China. The people of those five regions – the Middle states, and the [Rong], [Yi], (and other wild tribes round them) – had all their several natures, which they could not be made to alter. The tribes on the east were called [Yi]. They had their hair unbound, and tattooed their bodies. Some of them ate their food without its being cooked. Those on the south were called Man. They tattooed their foreheads, and had their feet turned in towards each other. Some of them (also) ate their food without its being cooked. Those on the west were called [Rong]. They had their hair unbound, and wore skins. Some of them did not eat grain-food. Those on the north were called [Di]. They wore skins of animals and birds, and dwelt in caves. Some of them also did not eat grain-food. The people of the Middle states, and of those [Yi], Man, [Rong], and [Di], all had their dwellings, where they lived at ease; their flavours which they preferred; the clothes suitable for them; their proper implements for use; and their vessels which they prepared in abundance. In those five regions, the languages of the people were not mutually intelligible, and their likings and desires were different. To make what was in their minds apprehended, and to communicate their likings and desires, (there were officers) – in the east, called transmitters; in the south, representationists; in the west, [Di-dis]; and in the north, interpreters. The Di seem to have lived in a horizontal band from the upper Ordos Loop and across northern Shanxi to the state of Yan north of Beijing. This area was a transition zone between the emerging Chinese civilization and the steppe peoples to the north. They seem to have practiced a mixed pastoral, agricultural and hunting economy. Other groups of Di seem to have lived interspersed between the Chinese states. To their north was the emerging steppe society whom the Chinese later called Hu. To the southwest the Rong lived along the northwest frontier of China. The Di and Rong are often associated and both were considered more warlike and less civilized than the Yi and Man. The Di had walled towns and fought on foot. They were often enemies and sometimes allies of the various Chinese states. We hear of trade, treaties, marriage alliances and Chinese politicians fleeing to exile among the Di.

Leer el artículo completo en Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA