A Review Article on Chinese and Arab Halal Food Cultures from a Structuralist Perspective

Abstract

Structuralist anthropology originated from the understanding of symbolic systems in linguistics. This theory regards human dietary habits as part of a symbolic system, providing a clear analytical framework for the study of dietary culture. Scholars have conducted extensive research on the characteristics, influencing factors, and intrinsic elements of Chinese and Arab halal food culture from multiple dimensions, including ethnic, national, and regional perspectives. However, there is still a lack of research on the halal food culture within specific communities, as well as cross regional comparative studies on Chinese and Arab halal food culture. Looking to the future, the academic community should strengthen research in this field by expanding knowledge boundaries and promoting mutual learning and collaborative development among civilizations.