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【簡譯】阿茲特克人的食品與農(nóng)業(yè)

2022-08-24 19:17 作者:神尾智代 0人讀過 | 我要投稿

The Aztec civilization, which flourished in central Mexico between c. 1345 and 1521 CE, was able to provide an astonishingly wide range of agricultural produce thanks to a combination of climatic advantages, diverse artificial irrigation methods, and extensive farming know-how. Their skills at agriculture gave the Aztecs one of the most varied cuisines in the ancient world.

? ? ? ? ? 大約在公元1345年至1521年期間，阿茲特克文明在墨西哥中部蓬勃發(fā)展，由于結(jié)合了氣候優(yōu)勢、多樣化的人工灌溉方法和廣泛的農(nóng)業(yè)知識，阿茲克特的農(nóng)業(yè)能夠提供令人吃驚的廣泛的農(nóng)產(chǎn)品。他們在農(nóng)業(yè)方面的技能使阿茲特克成為古代世界中最多樣化的美食聚集地之一。

jícama（一種蘿卜，在中國某些地區(qū)稱番葛、豆薯、地瓜、地蘿卜、沙葛、芒光）

組織與方?法

In Aztec society, land could be owned by communities (calpolli) and parceled out to individual families for cultivation, or farmers could be resident tenants (mayeque) on large, privately owned estates. Rent was paid in kind to the landowners who were either Aztec nobles (pipiltin), warriors given the land as a reward for services rendered, or the king himself (tlatoani), who all managed their estates through intermediary administrators. On a smaller scale, it was also typical for commoners (macehualtin) to have their own garden plot (calmil), which could supply the family with food. At the bottom of the social strata were slaves (tlacohtin) who, besides working in other industries, were also widely engaged in agriculture.

? ? ? ? ? 在阿茲特克社會中，土地歸屬于社區(qū)（calpolli），社區(qū)將土地分給各個家庭耕種，或者農(nóng)民可以成為私有大型莊園的常駐租戶（mayeque）。租金以實物形式支付給土地所有者，他們要么是阿茲特克貴族（pipiltin），要么是有戰(zhàn)功的戰(zhàn)士，要么是國王本人（tlatoani），他們都通過中間的行政人員管理其莊園。在小范圍內(nèi)，平民（macehualtin）擁有自己的園地（calimil）也是很典型的，這可以為家庭提供食物。處于社會底層的是奴隸（tlacohtin），他們除了在其他行業(yè)工作，還廣泛從事農(nóng)業(yè)生產(chǎn)。

Two groups of agricultural workers may be distinguished - the general farm labourers who tended the fields, planted, and irrigated crops, and the more specialised horticulturalists who had knowledge of seeding, transplanting, crop rotation, and the best times to plant and harvest. The latter information could be determined from the tonalamatl almanacs, and they not only considered climatic conditions but also auspicious periods and events after which planting and harvesting should take place.

? ? ? ? ? 可以區(qū)分兩類農(nóng)業(yè)工種，一類是打理田地、種植和灌溉作物的普通農(nóng)工；另一類是更專業(yè)的園藝師，他們掌握著播種、移植、作物輪作以及種植和收獲的最佳時間。后者的信息可以從Tonalamatl歷書中確定，他們不僅考慮氣候條件，還考慮種植與收割應(yīng)該在什么時候進(jìn)行。

To maximise crop yields, various measures were taken. For example, terracing to increase the area of farmland was widely used, especially from the reign of Netzahualcoyotl. Irrigation was also employed across the Aztec Empire, sometimes in ambitious large-scale projects, such as the diversion of the Cuauhtitlan River to water surrounding fields, but more commonly via artificially flooded fields known as chinampas (see below). Crops were also fertilized using a combination of sludge dredged from the canals constructed wherever Aztecs took up residence and with human excrement, purposely collected from the urban centres.

? ? ? ? ? 為了最大限度地提高作物產(chǎn)量，人們采取了各種措施。例如，可以增加農(nóng)田面積的梯田技術(shù)被廣泛使用，特別是在內(nèi)薩華爾科約特爾統(tǒng)治時期。灌溉技術(shù)也在整個阿茲特克帝國得到了應(yīng)用，有時政府會實施雄心勃勃的大型農(nóng)業(yè)項目，如將夸蒂特蘭河改道來澆灌周圍的田地，但更常見的農(nóng)業(yè)基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施是被稱為奇南帕的人工水田（見下文）。阿茲特克人居住地修建的運河中挖出的淤泥以及從城市中心特意收集的人類排泄物都可以作為肥土種植農(nóng)作物。

Still, despite these measures, crop yields could be significantly reduced by unfavourable natural events such as excessive rain and even snow or plagues of such pests as locusts and rodents. Accordingly, reserves of grain were accumulated to be redistributed to the destitute in such hard times.

? ? ? ? ? 然而，盡管采取了這些措施，作物產(chǎn)量還是會因不利的自然事件而大幅減少，如過多的雨水，甚至是雪災(zāi)，或是蝗蟲和老鼠等害蟲的困擾。因此，政府會積累糧食儲備，以便在困難時期重新分配給受災(zāi)者。

All manner of foodstuffs were cultivated, and non-food crops included cotton and tobacco, which was smoked either in a pipe or rolled into cigars. Once harvested, goods were sold in markets held in the central plaza of all towns. The most famous and largest was the market at Tlatelolco, which each day attracted 25,000 shoppers and as many as 50,000 at the special market held on every fifth day.

? ? ? ? ? ?阿茲克特人會種植各種可食用的植物，非食品作物包括棉花和煙草，人們用煙斗抽煙，或卷成雪茄。糧食或非糧食作物收獲后，會在所有城鎮(zhèn)的中心廣場的市場上出售。最著名和最大的市場是特拉特洛爾科的市場，那里每天吸引25,000名采購者，在每五天舉行的特別市場上則能吸引多達(dá)50,000人。

奇南帕

Chinampas were artificially raised and flooded fields used for cultivation, and they covered large areas of the Chalco-Xochimilco basin and greatly increased the agricultural capacity of the land. In fact, as many as six crops a year could be grown on the chinampas; no wonder then, that they continue to be used in the present day. Their use in Mesoamerica went back centuries, but it was not until the 13th and 14th centuries CE that they began to spread beyond the lake basin of Chalco-Xochimilco where they eventually covered up to 9,500 hectares (23,000 acres). The chinampas could feed an ever-growing population, which at the capital Tenochtitlan alone was at least 200,000 and perhaps 11,000,000 throughout the empire. Motecuhzoma I, in particular, embarked on an expansion project in the 15th century CE, probably as a direct response to the needs of a rapidly growing population.

? ? ? ? ? 奇南帕是人工抬高和淹沒的耕地，它們覆蓋了查爾科-霍奇米爾科湖盆的大片區(qū)域，大大提高了土地的農(nóng)業(yè)能力。事實上，在奇南帕上一年可以種植多達(dá)六種作物；難怪這種耕作方式一直使用到今天。它們在中美洲可以追溯到幾個世紀(jì)前，但直到公元13和14世紀(jì)，它們才開始擴(kuò)展到查爾科-霍奇米爾科湖盆之外，最終覆蓋了9500公頃（23000英畝）。奇南帕可以養(yǎng)活不斷增長的人口，僅在首都特諾奇蒂特蘭就至少有20萬人口，整個帝國可能有1100萬人口。特別是莫特庫赫索馬一世時期，在公元15世紀(jì)開始了一項擴(kuò)張計劃，這可能是人口快速增長的表現(xiàn)。

Each chinampa field was remarkably similar in size and orientation. Measuring around 30 x 2.5 m, they were pegged out in marshy areas using long stakes. Each plot was bordered with a fence made of intertwined branches which, over time, became more solid as they collected mud and vegetation. The wall was further strengthened by the planting of willow trees at regular intervals. The planting area within the chinampa was filled with sediment and between each plot was a canal which gave access for canoes. The water was provided, and carefully controlled, by a combination of natural springs and artificial constructions such as aqueducts, dikes, dams, canals, reservoirs, and gates. One of the most impressive of these was the 16 km dyke built by Nezahualcoyotl on the edge of Tenochtitlan to block the salty water of Lake Texcoco and create a lagoon supplied by a fresh water spring.

? ? ? ? ? 每一塊奇南帕地的大小和方向都非常相似。尺寸約為30 x 2.5米，用長木樁釘在沼澤地上。每塊地都有一個由交織的樹枝組成的圍墻，隨著時間的推移，這些樹枝在收集泥土和植被時變得更加堅固。每隔一段距離就種植一棵柳樹，使圍墻得到進(jìn)一步加強(qiáng)。奇南帕內(nèi)的種植區(qū)充滿了泥沙，每塊地之間有一條運河，可以讓獨木舟進(jìn)入。水是由天然泉水和人工建筑（如水渠、堤壩、大壩、運河、水庫和閘門）共同供應(yīng)并精心控制的。其中最令人印象深刻的是內(nèi)薩瓦爾科約特爾在特諾奇蒂特蘭邊緣修建的16公里長的堤壩，堤壩阻斷特斯科科湖的咸水，并創(chuàng)造一個由淡水泉供應(yīng)的瀉湖。

花? ? ?圃

The Aztecs also appreciated the cultivation of flower gardens and these were dotted around Tenochtitlan. The most famous example is Motecuhzoma I's exotic botanical garden at Huaxtepec, for which he imported such flowers as the vanilla orchid and cacao trees from the coast, along with specialist gardeners to ensure that they thrived in their new environment. The gardens were irrigated via springs, streams, and artificial canals and featured fountains and artificial lakes. The gardens at Huaxtepec and others such as the ones created by Netzahualcoyotl at Tetzcotzingo were also used to grow foodstuffs and were noted for having plants and trees of medicinal value. In fact, most Aztec upper-class residences had their own pleasure gardens with water features, orchards and herb gardens.

? ? ? ? ? 阿茲特克人也很重視花圃栽培，這些花圃遍布特諾奇蒂特蘭。最著名的例子是莫特庫赫索馬一世在華克斯特佩克的異國植物園，他為此從沿海地區(qū)引進(jìn)了香草蘭和可可樹等花卉植物，還有專門的園藝師以確保它們在新環(huán)境中茁壯成長?；▓@通過泉水、溪流和人工運河進(jìn)行灌溉，并設(shè)有噴泉和人工湖。華克斯特佩克的花園，如內(nèi)薩華爾科約特爾在特茲科津戈創(chuàng)建的花園，也被用來種植食品，并以擁有的藥用價值植物和樹木而聞名。事實上，大多數(shù)阿茲特克上層階級的住宅都有自己的娛樂花園，有水景、果園和草藥園。

食品與飲料

The Aztec diet was dominated by fruit and vegetables, as domesticated animals were limited to dogs, turkeys (totolin), ducks, and honey bees. Game (especially rabbits, deer and wild pigs), fish, birds, salamanders, algae (used to make cakes), frogs, tadpoles and insects were also a valuable food source. The most common crops were maize (centli, famously used to make tortillas but also tamales and gruel), amaranth (a grain), sage, beans (etl), squash, and chile peppers. Red and green tomatoes were cultivated (but were much smaller than the modern variety), as were white sweet potatoes, jícama (a type of turnip), chayote (vegetable pear), the nopal cactus, and peanuts. The Aztecs also grew many types of fruit including guavas, papayas, custard apples, mamey, zapotes, and chirimoyas. Snacks included popcorn and the sweet baked leaves of the maguey agave.

? ? ? ? ? 阿茲特克人的飲食以水果和蔬菜為主，因為馴養(yǎng)的動物只限于狗、火雞（Totolin）、鴨子和蜜蜂。野味（尤其是兔子、鹿和野豬）、魚、鳥、蠑螈、海藻（用于制作蛋糕）、青蛙、蝌蚪和昆蟲也是寶貴的食物來源。最常見的作物是玉米（centli，著名的用于制作玉米餅，但也用于制作玉米糊和粥）、莧菜（一種谷物）、鼠尾草、豆類（etl）、南瓜和智利辣椒。紅番茄和綠番茄都有種植（但比現(xiàn)代品種小得多），還有白甘薯、jícama（一種蘿卜，在中國某些地區(qū)稱番葛、豆薯、地瓜、地蘿卜、沙葛、芒光）、chayote（蔬菜梨）、諾寶仙人掌和花生。阿茲特克人還種植了許多類型的水果，包括番石榴、木瓜、奶油蘋果、瑪米、薩波特斯和奇里莫亞斯。零食包括爆米花和烘烤過的甜味龍舌蘭葉子。

Not using oils or fats, most dishes were either boiled or grilled, and extra taste was added using condiments, for the Aztecs loved their sauces and seasoning. Examples of these include epazote, toasted avocado leaves, achiote seeds, and, of course, chile peppers either fresh, dried, or smoked. The other two popular flavours for the Aztecs were vanilla and chocolate. The latter came from the beans of cacao pods from the tree which was widely cultivated in extensive orchards near the coast. Beans were fermented, cured, and roasted. Then the beans were ground into powder and mixed with hot water as chocolate was usually consumed as a warm frothy drink. Bitter to taste, it could be flavoured by adding, for example, maize, vanilla, flowers, herbs and honey. So esteemed was chocolate that beans were used as money (even counterfeited) and demanded as tribute from subject tribes. Other popular drinks were octli (pulque to the Spanish), a light alcoholic beer made from the fermented sap of the maguey and pozolli made from fermented maize dough. These alcoholic drinks were, however, consumed in moderation, as being caught drunk could result in all manner of punishments, even the death penalty.

? ? ? ? ? 由于阿茲特克人喜歡他們的醬汁和調(diào)味品，所以在做菜的時候不使用油或脂肪，大多數(shù)菜肴都是煮或烤的，并使用調(diào)味品來增加額外的味道。這方面的例子包括土荊芥、烤牛油果葉、阿奇奧特種子，當(dāng)然還有新鮮、干燥或熏制的辣椒。對阿茲特克人來說，另外兩種流行的味道是香草和巧克力。后者來自可可豆莢的豆子，這種樹在海岸附近的大量果園中被廣泛種植。豆子經(jīng)過發(fā)酵、腌制和烘烤。然后將豆子磨成粉，與熱水混合，因為巧克力通常是作為一種溫暖的泡沫飲料來飲用的。巧克力味道苦澀，可以通過添加玉米、香草、鮮花、草藥和蜂蜜等進(jìn)行調(diào)味。巧克力是如此受人尊敬，以至于當(dāng)時的巧克力豆被用作一般等價物（甚至是偽造的），并被要求作為臣民部落的貢品。其他流行的飲料有Octli（西班牙人稱之為Pulque），一種用馬奎伊樹汁發(fā)酵而成的淡酒精啤酒，以及用玉米面團(tuán)發(fā)酵而成的Pozolli。然而，這些酒精飲料的飲用是有節(jié)制的，因為如果被人發(fā)現(xiàn)喝醉了，醉酒者可能會受到各種形式的懲罰，甚至是被判處死刑。