Shared Culture and Heritage along the Belt and Road: A Study of Pakistani Tea

Abstract

As one of the most popular beverages in the world, tea is popular in the countries of the Belt and Road Initiative. In ancient times, tea spread to most countries through the " Ancient Tea Horse route" and the Silk Road, which led to the exchange of economic trade and the spread of culture. The objective of this paper is to investigate tea culture in Pakistan, different types of tea and the economic constrains of this beverage on Pakistan’s economy. It also highlights its role in Belt &Road initiative. After a long historical evolution, countries influenced by tea culture have also redefined the tea culture belonging to their society by combining the characteristics of their local culture. Especially in the Central Asian and South Asian countries in the Belt and Road Initiative region, this cultural continuity can be seen everywhere and has become a part of people's daily lives. Overall, tea has become a shared heritage of the Belt and Road. By combining the results of historical documents and anthropological fieldwork, this paper briefly describe the current plight of the domestic tea industry in Pakistan based on the research and import and export of tea and analyzes the possibility of the protection and trade of tea cultural heritage. The result shows due to import of tea Pakistan is facing problems as local tea production is less. It is recommended the more tea production and tea processing plants can save this intangible culture in Pakistan.