《苗防备览》题解

清代乾嘉时期湖南溆浦人严如熤所著《苗防备览》，是一部有关“湘西苗疆”历史进程、民风民俗、治策方略的私著地方志。全书共八册二十二卷，包含舆图、村寨、险要、道路、风俗、师旅等14门。虽然此书卷帙浩繁，但其内容具体而言可依题名“苗防备览”四字分为三大主题，即：第一，基于作者本人的实地调查与感受，对“苗”族群文化特征及分布地域的认知与界分；第二，在此基础上对湘黔苗疆历史的梳理与苗疆“防治”对策的张举；第三，也是就是全书的主旨与目的，为“后之有事苗疆者得有稽考，用备采择”的“备览”。

Interpretation of Guidance for Guarding the Miao People

Guidance for Guarding Miao People,written by Yan Ruyi during the dynasties of Emperors Qianlong and Jiaqing,is a local chronics about the development of the Miao People in Xiangxi,including the folk tradition and customs of the Miao People and the strategies to manage them.The chronics is divided into 8 books,containing 22 volumes and 14 categories.Though a giant project,it covers three subjects:the author’s field investigation and feelings,and the cultural features and distribution of the Miao People;the history of the Miao People in Hunan and Guizhou,and the strategies to manage them;and the purpose of the chronics,that is,to serve as a guidance to guard the Miao People.