Pastoral Deity Worship Festival (Small New Year/Guoxiaonian) of Mosuo Ethnic People in Lugu Lake, Lijiang

The Mosuo People’s Pastoral Deity Worship Festival (祭牧神节), also known as the Small New Year (过小年), is a traditional festival celebrated by the Mosuo people (摩梭族) of Lugu Lake (泸沽湖), Yunnan Province (云南省). The festival, held annually on the 12th day of the first lunar month, is an integral part of the Mosuo people’s matrilineal culture. This celebration is centered around the worship of the pastoral deity and reflects the Mosuo people’s deep connection with livestock farming and their reverence for nature.

Festival Overview

Festival Dates and Significance

Main Date: 12th day of the first lunar month (For 2025, this will fall on February 9th).

Secondary Date: 12th day of the 11th lunar month, also known as Pastoralists’ Day.

Location: The festival is celebrated in the Mosuo villages around Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) and the surrounding grazing areas.

Cultural Context

The festival honors the pastoral deity, the mountain god, and the water god, praying for the prosperity of livestock, good weather, and agricultural success. The ceremony also showcases the matrilineal structure of the Mosuo society, where women lead important rituals such as distributing the ceremonial food.

Core Rituals and Customs

Pre-Festival Preparations

Food Preparation: Families prepare a variety of meat dishes, including pig heart (猪心子), sausage (香肠), pig’s feet (猪蹄子), stuffed pig’s trotters (灌猪脚), and fried rice cakes (油煎粑粑) as offerings to the pastoral deity.

New Clothes: Pastoralists are dressed in new clothing for the occasion, symbolizing renewal and respect.

Daba Priest’s Prayer: The Daba priest (达巴) chants prayers, and the food offerings are scattered in all directions. The pastoralists are then given priority to partake in the offerings.

Special Treatment for Pastoralists

Picnic on the Mountain: Pastoralists are provided with leather bags filled with meats and other foods, which they take to the mountains for a picnic. The meals are abundant, often lasting for several days, with festivities including singing and drinking.

Food Distribution: Women in the community are responsible for distributing the best portions of meat to the pastoralists, ensuring they are well-cared for and honored on this special day.

Natural Worship

Ceremonial Offerings: The worship involves sacrifices to the pastoral god, mountain god, and water god, in hopes of ensuring the flourishing of livestock and favorable weather conditions for the coming year.

Cultural Significance

Livestock Traditions

The Pastoral Deity Worship Festival is closely linked to the Mosuo people’s pastoral lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of animal husbandry and the community’s reliance on livestock for sustenance.

Matrilineal Society

The festival highlights the matrilineal customs of the Mosuo people, with women playing a central role in the distribution of offerings. This reflects the Mosuo’s unique gender dynamics, where women hold significant social and family authority.

Modern Changes

While younger generations have simplified their celebrations, many Mosuo families still retain the core rituals of the Pastoral Deity Worship Festival, preserving their traditional practices.

Comparison with Other Festivals

Mountain Worship Festival (转山节)

Focus: The Mountain Worship Festival (转山节), celebrated on the 25th day of the 7th lunar month, revolves around pilgrimages to Gemu Goddess Mountain (格姆女神山) and involves more community-wide celebrations and revelry.

Pastoral Deity Worship Festival (祭牧神节)

Focus: The Pastoral Deity Worship Festival places more emphasis on family rituals and gratitude for livestock rather than large-scale community gatherings, reflecting the Mosuo people’s close-knit family values and agricultural roots.