Land of masculinity

Shaanxi, the seat of several dynasties in China’s history, is the epitome of the traditional patriarchal system, which prioritized men over women. As a result social life has been somewhat masculinized.

This is further heightened by the Loess Plateau, where Shaanxi was located. In daily life, men in Shaanxi to this day drink strong spirits, eat with big bowls, and scream the bold local opera.

Men in Shaanxi prefer the strong alcoholic beverage Xi Feng. It numbs the tongue and the drinkers feel a thread of fire going down the throat at a sip.

One of the top alcohol brands in China, Xi Feng has its origin in Fengxiang Country, Shaanxi. Traditionally, it has about 60 percent of alcoholic content. Tasty and aromatic as it is, Xi Feng is strong enough to ignite. People even joke it’s a time bomb if one is drinking and smoking at the same time.

But men in Shaanxi love it simply because of its high alcoholic content. They believe the beauty of spirits lies in alcoholicity, a sign of manliness.

A saying goes as: Bowls from which Shaanxi people eat are as big as washbasins.

The “old bowls” produced in Yaozhou Country, Shaanxi, have for centuries won favor among Shaanxi people. The word “old” doesn’t refer to a long history, but the large size of the bowls. They are usually deep and about 33cm in diameter, reminding people of washbasins.

The admiration of big bowls may have its origin in the old-time belief that the strength of man is measured by how much he can consume at a meal. Nowadays, the big old bowls still have a secure place in restaurants.