Where does giving a beak to loved ones on the mouth come from?

A mother kisses her young child on the mouth.

The holidays rhyme with “middle partys” this year. While we & nbsp; can't wait to hug, & nbsp; others can't wait to give each other a beak… on the mouth. & Nbsp; Here's where this tradition comes from. & Nbsp;

A & nbsp; beaked & nbsp; prehistoric & nbsp;

Long before the Premier of Quebec, François Legault, kisses his sister on the lips during her election, the habit of smooching between parents and children has existed since prehistoric times, believes anthropologist Isabelle Matte. & nbsp; & nbsp;

“Our ancestors, the great apes and hominids, had to chew the food before giving it to the children. A bit like the beak of birds, “she says. & Nbsp;

Of course, the kiss lost its more” survivalist “meaning in the centuries that followed and became more “warm.” 'Roman Empire. & Nbsp;

The beginnings of Christianity will revive the practice after the fall of Rome in the 4th century. We are then witnessing the invention of the “kiss of peace”, a way of greeting each other. & Nbsp; & nbsp;

According to Ms. Matte, the kiss would therefore be & nbsp; something from & nbsp; “quite & nbsp; Christian” & nbsp; at the base. & nbsp; The reconciliations between men and women were much more frequent & nbsp; at this time. & nbsp;

“The first disciples of Jesus prescribed the kiss on the mouth between Christians, & nbsp; she recalls. It was & nbsp; a mark of recognition. “& Nbsp;

The first settlers of New France arriving in the 16th century & nbsp; will spread this Latin cultural heritage here. & Nbsp;

Today, & nbsp; in Europe, & nbsp; cultural rites & nbsp; related & nbsp; to kiss & nbsp; vary by country or region. & Nbsp; For example, in the Mediterranean, we like to kiss between men & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; in France, we kiss each other! & nbsp; & nbsp;

A taboo kiss & nbsp;

But then, if our ancestors have been kissing for millennia, why is this practice still shocking in 2021, when our society is more hypersexualized than ever?

First of all, because modern psychoanalysis associates it with a gesture which demonstrates a feeling of “love” between the child and the parent, which can be likened to incest. is not the only reason. & nbsp; & nbsp;

Anthropologist Isabelle Matte, from Anthropologist in freedom.

According to Ms. Matte, this also comes from more conservative Catholic movements of the 16th century and the rise of English Protestant Puritanism in the 19th century. These two trends then repress certain practices “associated” with sexuality, including the Christian kiss. & Nbsp; & nbsp;

And the kiss is not & nbsp; unanimous everywhere in the world, & nbsp; ; moreover! & nbsp; According to Ms. Matte, it is estimated that 50% of the cultures of the world do not embrace & nbsp; neither between & nbsp; nor between & nbsp; nor between & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp;

A & nbsp; bec & nbsp; which & nbsp; divides Quebec & nbsp;

Even today, & nbsp; centuries after these historical events & nbsp; the & nbsp; different perceptions & nbsp; of & nbsp; still & nbsp; our company. & nbsp; & nbsp;

For example, in 2006, the former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper created an uproar by giving his son a handshake … rather than kissing him on the cheek. The people of Quebec s 'was particularly offended, deeming this gesture “cold and formal”, recalls Ms. Matte. & nbsp;

“Puritanism and Protestantism are still traditionally present among English speakers. », She underlines. & Nbsp;

However, conversely, the anthropologist & nbsp; recalls & nbsp; that the & nbsp; province & nbsp; was scandalized & nbsp; when & nbsp; François & nbsp; Legault kissed his sister on the mouth three years ago.

This & nbsp; paradoxical & nbsp; reaction leaves & nbsp; the anthropologist & nbsp; puzzled. According to her, the Belle Province & nbsp; always has very dominant Latin cultural origins … & nbsp; and therefore & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp;

We must not imagine that things have & nbsp; “totally & nbsp; changed, ”says Ms. Matte. & nbsp; & nbsp;

Whether we are for or against, Quebecers always have the passion to kiss. & nbsp; We cannot & nbsp; deny it! & nbsp;

& nbsp; “For a long time now people have approached and touched more & nbsp; here & nbsp; than in the rest of North America, & nbsp; observes Ms. Matte. & nbsp;

< p> As & nbsp; the & nbsp; sings well the Quebec group & nbsp; 2Frères, & nbsp; it is not for nothing that every time we see each other & nbsp; “we & nbsp; we hug & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; # 8230; & nbsp; or by the beak. & Nbsp;

A post-pandemic without & nbsp; kiss? & nbsp;

Will the pandemic & nbsp; change our desire to & nbsp; closer or & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp;

“Yes, it's already happening. & Nbsp; It's already happening. “Replied Ms. Matte. & Nbsp; & nbsp;

Such a deprivation of kisses has even happened in history, & nbsp; she reminds. & Nbsp; To & nbsp; Following the & nbsp; great & nbsp; plague & nbsp; of & nbsp; London (1665-1666), & nbsp; the inhabitants have stopped kissing. & nbsp;

The Great Plague of London, in 1665.

But during the containment & nbsp; put in place due to COVID-19, the physical presence was completely banned, & nbsp; and & nbsp; this , & nbsp; for longer than the plague & nbsp; of London. & nbsp;

Outcome? & nbsp; Some of our social rituals have been & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; been & nbsp; broken practiced, & nbsp; like that of the kiss, obviously. & nbsp;

“A year and a half is enough to develop a new habit, it will depend on the person or the & nbsp; environment, ”explains Ms. Matte. & nbsp;

According to Ms. Matte, this change may last a few years… or even a whole generation, because the pandemic is not yet over. & nbsp;