Week 5: The Sogdians

Greetings travellers,

I write to you today to talk about a group of people called The Sogdians, whom upon discovery along my travels greatly interested me. This group of people played a vital role in the trans-Asian trade, as they exchanged a great deal of goods, ideas, and languages. Apart from trade, The Sogdians also exemplified the effects of migration, through the blending of Chinese culture and traditions with their own. The influence this group of people played in relation to their role on the Silk Road is undoubtably huge. However, what separates The Sogdians from any other clan of people who travelled the ever so popular Silk Road path?

By embracing new languages and practicing them, The Sogdians were able to gain the trust and respect of the fellow tribes they passed during their travels. This allowed them to make allies with other groups and thus, trade within one another. The result of this, then is that trade improved communication, as it is amply seen in The Sogdians' eagerness to learn new languages and their bravery to use such a skill to their advantage. Apart from exemplifying their excellent ability to trade, The Sogdians used their trade routes to migrate across the Silk Road, eventually inhabiting North-West China. Their meshing of cultures can be seen in traditions such as burial services adopted from the Chinese and embraced by The Sogdians. They were not afraid to take risks; they were not afraid to travel; and thus, not afraid to grow. This set The Sogdians apart as notable historic figures.

Tune in next week as I continue my adventure along the Silk Road.

Yours truly,
~A.V.

Week 4: The Spread and Migration of Religion

Greetings travelers,

It has been some time since I have kept you up to date with my adventure! I write to you now after further discovering the significance of religious pilgrimages, as I came across an article entitled, Xuanzang: A Buddhist Pilgrim on the Silk Road. The tale of Xuanzang and his sixteen-year migration across the Silk Road illustrated a key influence in the spread and acceptance of Buddhism, and the fight needed to pursue such a mission. Events such as this one made me realize how a single idea could manifest into a nation-wise mission,taking the ideals of Buddhism by force and spreading them across both the northern and southern silk routes. However, keeping this in mind, have our methods of spreading religious thought and ideals changed like many other traditions, or, have they continued through to the twenty-first century?

The development of technology continues to baffle and amaze us, as it has evolved so much so fast. It can take a minute to send an email, and it can be said that since everything has been made so easy for us, we are forgetting about history and the significance of such. Xuanzang dedicated his life to the spread of something he truly believed, and yet we can send our thoughts to anyone around the world in a minute. Does this, however, mean that technology is a bad thing? Can an idea be more important if it it took an individual a minute to come up with rather than a lifetime? 

Tune in next week as I continue my adventure along the Silk Road.

Yours truly,

~A.V.