The Ancestor Worship Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Weishan County, Dali

Chinese Name:巍山彝族祭祖节
English Name: The Ancestor Worship Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority in Weishan County, Dali

The Yi people’s Ancestor Worship Festival in Weishan County, celebrated on February 8th, is detailed in the “Draft of Menghua’s Chronicles: Humanity.” This day is regarded as the New Year by the Yi people, who conduct rituals for Miku, block roads, and set up a Miku tree in each village. Traditionally, a yellow cow is tied nearby during the rituals. After blessings, one person uses a sharp axe to behead the cow, which is then divided among the villagers.

February 8th is the most widely celebrated traditional festival among the Yi people, with variations in rituals and activities across regions. Common practices include road blocking, worshiping Miku deities, dragon worship, calling upon earth spirits, burying “grass roots,” and honoring ancestors. In Longjie, Wuyin Township, the duo “Ayu” and “Abu” (collectively “Ayu Bu”) are venerated with symbolic rituals involving red leaves and bulrush cores representing celestial bodies. Evening festivities feature swinging and singing.

Current Significance and Celebrations

Today, the festival is a grand occasion that celebrates ancestor worship, peace, and bountiful harvests. It has become a day for Yi people nationwide to honor their ancestors. Representatives gather at the Nanzhao Earth God Temple in Weibaoshan for a significant ceremony.

The entrance couplet of the Weibaoshan Earth God Temple narrates the story of the Nanzhao founding king, Xinuoluo. Historical records indicate that this temple was built by the third king of Nanzhao, Shengluopi, in 714 AD, marking the beginning of ancestor worship customs at Earth God temples.

Ceremony Details

The ancestor worship ceremony is organized by villagers from Qianxin Village, with each household taking turns as the “host.” This role includes leading the worship, preparing meals, and raising pigs for the ceremony. Each household contributes corn to assist the host in raising the pigs.

On the day of worship, the village gathers at the Earth God temple, accompanied by firecrackers and traditional music. Elders lead a procession carrying offerings, such as a cooked chicken and pig’s head, along with fruits, pastries, and incense, towards the mountain. They pay homage to various deities before presenting offerings at the temple to Xinuoluo.

After the offerings, the host family passes the pig’s head to the next year’s host, marking a smooth transition for the ceremony. Following this, the village enjoys a reunion dinner at the temple and celebrates with bonfire gatherings and singing throughout the night.

Recognition of the Festival

In March 2007, Weishan County established the period from the first to the fifteenth day of the second lunar month as the Chinese Yi Ancestor Worship Festival, with February 8th as the main day of worship. Since then, Yi people across the country have participated in grand ceremonies at the Weibaoshan Earth God Temple.

Activities on February 8th

February 8th is an ancient and grand festival for the Yi people, where each village performs various activities centered around ancestor worship. While traditional practices such as blocking roads and worshipping Miku are common, the specifics may vary by region. In recent times, the sacrificial custom has shifted from cattle to pigs, with shared feasts featuring pork and pig blood soup.

During the festival, Yi people from afar return home to celebrate with family, slaughtering pigs and preparing festive meals. In the evenings, families gather around bonfires to sing traditional folk songs, reinforcing community bonds.

The Sacred Ancestor Worship Site: Weishan Wibao Mountain

Located 10 kilometers southeast of Weishan County is the ancestral site of the Nanzhao Kingdom, where Meng Xinuo farmed. The area is characterized by ancient trees, temples, and palaces nestled in the lush landscape. Notable scenic spots include “Heaven’s Gate Locking the Beauty” and “Mountain Tea Flowing Red,” showcasing the area’s rich cultural connotations.

Despite its modest height, Wibao Mountain is revered for its sacredness and historical significance as the birthplace of Nanzhao. It has been a prominent site for Taoist practices since the Han Dynasty, attracting priests and followers over the centuries. The area hosts a variety of Taoist temples, forming a comprehensive ancient architectural complex known as the “Museum of Ancient Architecture.”

Historical Significance and Cultural Heritage

Wibao Mountain is intertwined with the legends of Daoism, featuring tales of immortals and significant figures like Laozi, who is believed to have enlightened Meng Xinuo during his visit. The “Tao Te Ching,” a foundational text of Daoism, contributed to the region’s spiritual heritage, fostering the growth of both Nanzhao culture and Daoism.

Conclusion

Today, Wibao Mountain stands as a unique blend of natural beauty, rich cultural architecture, and historical significance, embodying the essence of the Yi people’s ancestral worship and Daoist traditions.

More Details:

The Yi people’s Ancestor Worship Festival in Weishan County, known as February 8th, is documented in “Draft of Menghua’s Chronicles: Humanity.” It states that the Yi people “consider February 8th as the New Year. On this day, roads must be blocked, and rituals for Miku must be held. Each village sets up a Miku tree. During the rituals, a yellow cow is tied nearby with a rope. After the blessings, one person uses a sharp axe to cut off the cow’s head, which is then divided among the people according to their numbers.” February 8th is the most widely celebrated traditional festival among the Yi, although the rituals and activities can vary by region. Some villages perform activities such as the blocking of roads, worshipping Miku deities, dragon worship, calling upon the earth’s spirits, burying “grass roots,” and worshipping various gods, all while honoring their ancestors. In the Longjie area of Wuyin Township, they worship the brother and sister duo “Ayu” and “Abu,” collectively referred to as “Ayu Bu.” They weave red leaves into a wave pattern to symbolize overwhelming floods and form three circles with bulrush cores to represent the “Sun,” “Moon,” and “Stars.” These rituals honor the ancestors of the Yi people—Ayu and Abu—who faced immense floods in ancient times, struggling to survive and reproduce. In the evening, activities like swinging and singing are held.

Today, the February 8th festival is a grand and lively occasion, celebrating ancestor worship, peace, and a bountiful harvest. It has become a common day for Yi people nationwide to honor their ancestors. On this day, representatives from all over the country gather at the Nanzhao Earth God Temple in Weibaoshan to hold a grand ceremony honoring the Earth God and ancestors.

The couplet at the entrance of the Weibaoshan Earth God Temple tells the story of the Nanzhao founding king, Xinuoluo: “Ask about the rivers and mountains of Nanzhao, every inch of land is not one’s own. Returning to this blessed cave, one does not forget the place of past toil. Where is the ambition that once flourished under the Li Tang dynasty? Like leisurely clouds and wild cranes, it was meant to be the heart of the cliff.” Historical records indicate that this temple was built by the third king of the Nanzhao kingdom, Shengluopi, in 714 AD, marking the beginning of the Yi people’s custom of ancestor worship at Earth God temples.

It is said that Xinuoluo’s hometown is in Qianxin Village, located on the northern foothills of Weibaoshan. As a result, the ancestor worship ceremony is usually organized in rotation by the villagers of Qianxin, with each household taking turns to serve as the “host.” The “host” not only leads the ancestor worship but is also responsible for preparing meals, setting up dozens of tables. In fact, the preparations for the ancestor worship begin a year in advance. To provide meals for so many people and to offer a pig’s head as an offering, the host also has the responsibility of raising pigs. According to tradition, each household in the village must contribute a liter of corn to help the host raise the pigs for the ceremony.

On the day of the ancestor worship, the entire village gathers at the Earth God temple. Firecrackers are set off, and suona (a traditional wind instrument) plays as ancient music is performed, marking the official start of the worship ceremony. People line up in a long queue, led by two elders: one carries a cooked chicken with two bundles of pine needles in its beak, while the other carries a pig’s head. Following them are those carrying sugar, paper money, fruits, and pastries, as well as those with small incense burners… everyone walks in turn towards the mountain. First, they make a round of the main palaces on the mountain, representing a mountain pilgrimage while also paying homage to various deities, seeking their blessings. After some festivities, they return to the Nanzhao Earth God Temple, crossing the “Yin-Yang Bridge” made of benches to present their offerings before the dignified and kind ancestor, Xinuoluo. They respectfully offer incense, paper money, and various offerings, either silently remembering or expressing their thoughts about their ancestors. After each person has made their offerings, the host’s family carries the pig’s head from the offering table to the next year’s host, saying that this year’s worship has been completed and inviting them to lead the ceremonies next year, while also cutting off a pig’s ear to hand over to the next host. Thus, the annual ancestor worship is smoothly handed over.

Next, following the sound of the suona, the entire village enjoys a reunion dinner at the Earth God temple, then gathers around a bonfire to sing songs throughout the night. In March 2007, Weishan County held the twelfth cooperation meeting for ancient Yi literature from the four provinces (regions) of Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guangxi. The meeting established that from the first to the fifteenth day of the second lunar month would be celebrated as the Chinese Yi Ancestor Worship Festival, with February 8th as the main worship day. Since then, on the eighth day of the second lunar month, Yi people across the country have participated in grand ancestor worship ceremonies at the Weibaoshan Earth God Temple.

Activities on February 8th

February 8th is a traditional, ancient, and grand festival for the Yi people of Weishan. According to “Draft of Menghua’s Chronicles: Humanity,” it is recorded that the Yi people “celebrate the New Year on February 8th. On this day, roads must be blocked, and rituals for Miku must be held. Each village must set up a Miku tree and use a yellow cow tied with a rope for the blessings. After the blessings, everyone uses sharp axes to cut off the cow’s head, which is then divided according to the number of people.” Today, the custom of the Weishan Yi people to kill cattle for Miku worship has changed to sacrificing pigs, with the village sharing the pork and pig blood soup.

February 8th is the most common traditional festival among the Yi people, with variations in the content and methods of worship across different regions. Activities include blocking roads, worshipping Miku deities, dragon worship, calling upon the earth’s spirits, burying “grass roots,” and worshipping various gods, all while honoring ancestors. In the Longjie area of Wuyin Township, they worship the brother and sister duo “Ayu” and “Abu,” collectively known as “Ayu Bu,” weaving red leaves into a wave pattern to symbolize overwhelming floods and forming three circles with bulrush cores representing the “Sun,” “Moon,” and “Stars.” These rituals honor the ancestors of the Yi people—Ayu and Abu—who faced immense floods in ancient times, struggling to survive and reproduce. Evening activities include swinging and singing.

Today, February 8th for the Yi people is a grand and lively festival, celebrating ancestor worship, peace, and a bountiful harvest. It has become a common day for Yi people nationwide to honor their ancestors. On this festival day, representatives from across the country gather at the Nanzhao Earth God Temple in Weibaoshan to hold a grand ceremony for ancestor worship.

Every year on February 8th, the Yi villages in the historical region of Nanzhao in Weishan hold various activities, with the ritual of blocking roads for Miku being a common activity. On this day, each village cuts branches to block the entrances to the village, preventing outsiders from entering. The Miku worship activities are held exclusively among the Yi people, excluding Han people and women from participating, and the entire process is conducted in the Yi language. The activities begin with the “calling upon the earth’s spirit Miku.” The Bimo (shaman) wears a felt cloak, a bamboo hat, and plays a large horn while leading the way. Following the Bimo is a palanquin carried by two young boys. Behind the palanquin is a fire basin carried by two boys, containing two burning coals covered with pine needles and cypress branches. Another boy carries two water bottles. The procession consists of several men, regardless of marital status. The “calling upon the earth’s spirit” team departs from the village, circles through the nearby mountains and forests, with the Bimo playing the horn and chanting “Ah Wu, earth spirit, ah Wu.” If someone responds, the Bimo collects some soil and places it in a bowl in the palanquin. After receiving responses from three people, it signifies that Miku has been received. Once Miku is received, the Bimo lights the oil lamp in the palanquin, ignites incense, and drums to escort Miku to the Earth God temple at the back of the village. The Bimo prays to the Nanzhao king at the temple, reciting, “…I respectfully invite the king of Yunnan, the king of Mengshe, the king of Shejie… Miku, the ancestor of the earth, who created the gods of heaven and earth. Use the mother pig for ancestor worship, and use the yellow-footed male pig for burning wine and vinegar, worshiping the ancestors. I pray for prosperous livestock, abundant harvests, and peace for the country and people,” according to the “Miku Bimo Scriptures.”

The Miku procession forms a circle in the Earth God temple, linking arms and singing traditional folk songs joyfully. After completing one round, they take Miku to the yellow chestnut tree where the Miku tree is located, to hold a grand Miku worship ceremony. The participants prepare large pots and start fires, boiling water. Once the water is boiling, the officiant uses a knife to cut the pig’s ear and place it in the pot. Then, the participants will feast on the pig and perform a series of activities to worship Miku.

Following the ancestor worship rituals, the Yi people organize singing and dancing performances, allowing everyone to participate. The festivities last until the evening, creating a lively atmosphere that lasts for a week, as the Yi people hold singing gatherings and performances at their respective village squares.

In addition to worshipping Miku and ancestor worship, February 8th is also a day for family reunions. Many Yi people from outside the county return home to celebrate the festival together with their families. Many families slaughter pigs and prepare festive meals to share with their families. In the evenings, people gather together, sit around bonfires, and sing their traditional folk songs. It is a festival that brings families together and strengthens community bonds.

The Sacred Ancestor Worship Site of the Yi Ethnic Group in China—Weishan Wibao Mountain

Exiting Weishan County, heading southeast for 10 kilometers, you reach the site where the ancestor of the Nanzhao Kingdom, Meng Xinuo, farmed. Ancient trees reach the sky, and amidst the lush cypress and pines lie ancient temples and palaces, built along the mountain slopes. With double eaves and layered pavilions, they pierce through the clouds and mist, adorned with intricate carvings and paintings. The eight scenic spots of Wibao, known as “Heaven’s Gate Locking the Beauty, Arched City Overlooking the Distance, Beautiful Women Gazing at the Clouds, Dragon Pool with Smoke and Willows, Mountain Tea Flowing Red, Crane Tower with Ancient Plum, Morning Sun Nurturing Cranes, and Ancient Caves Hiding Spring,” along with the fragrance of rare flowers and the melodious blessings, each exhibits a mysterious and unique charm with rich cultural connotations.

Due to its steep terrain, the mountain is filled with ancient trees, and as blue mist rises from the earth and flowers bloom in brilliance, ancient people believed the mountain held treasures, hence the name Wibao Mountain.

This is a beautiful land. The layers of mountains and trees create a serene atmosphere, with vast views in all directions. Standing on Wibao Mountain, one sees the endless mountains and waters, alive and thriving, just as it has been for thousands of years. Its steep terrain, lush ancient trees, rising blue mist, and vibrant flowers led the ancients to believe in its treasures, hence its name Wibao Mountain.

Compared to other towering mountains, Wibao Mountain may not be particularly high. However, “the mountain’s height is not what matters; if it has immortals, it is sacred.” Wibao Mountain is renowned as the birthplace of Nanzhao, and since the Ming Dynasty, it has been known as a sacred site of Taoism. Historical records indicate that since the Han Dynasty, Taoist priests have gradually practiced and preached here. The Way of Five Pecks of Rice, founded by Zhang Ling during the Eastern Han, was introduced to this region, and many stories about Zhang Tianshi still circulate in the mountains today. During the Three Kingdoms period, Meng Huo’s brother Meng You received immortal texts from a sage and lived on Wibao Mountain, using his techniques to benefit people. According to the sixth volume of Xie Zhao’s “Yunnan Overview” from the Ming Dynasty, the famous Taoist priest Du Guangting preached on Wibao Mountain. Folklore also suggests that Lü Dongbin traveled to Wibao Mountain and preached there. Starting from the Tang Dynasty, Taoist temples were built, and during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Taoists from Wudang Mountain in Hubei and Qingcheng Mountain in Sichuan moved to Wibao Mountain, where they successively constructed over twenty Taoist temples, including the Guanyin Pavilion, Ganlu Pavilion, Baoyun Hall, Xunshan Hall, Wenchang Palace, Zhujun Pavilion, Laojun Hall, Yuhuang Pavilion, Sanhuang Hall, Guanyin Hall, Kuixing Pavilion, Sanqing Hall, San Gongzhu Hall, Caishen Hall, Qingxia Pavilion, Linggong Hall, Doumu Pavilion, Peihe Tower, Hanzhen Tower, and Changchun Cave. By the Qing Dynasty, Taoism on Wibao Mountain reached its peak, with thriving temple activities and numerous Taoist priests coming and going. During the Republic of China period, many priests also came to Wibao Mountain to cultivate and seek enlightenment. After liberation, the Taoist temples and shrines on Wibao Mountain received strong support from the Party and government, and since 1982, the local government has allocated funds annually for the restoration of Taoist buildings on the mountain.

To this day, there are twenty-five well-preserved Taoist temples on the mountain, ingeniously laid out and exquisitely crafted, featuring strong religious colors and ethnic characteristics. They form a large and complete ancient architectural complex, known as the “Museum of Ancient Architecture,” which serves as a treasure trove for historians and experts in ancient buildings, ranking among the fourteen famous Taoist mountains in China. The ancient temples, old murals, sculptures, and classical couplets create a renowned Taoist mountain known as “Wibao Xianzong.”

In the history of Chinese cultural development, wise ancestors created many myths, and through the passage of time, the essence of Daoist culture has emerged as a radiant element of ethnic and religious cultural diversity. As a famous Taoist mountain in China, Wibao Mountain has also been home to numerous legendary tales of immortals from ancient times to the present. As early as the Han Dynasty, during the martial exploits of Meng Huo and the psychological warfare of Zhuge Liang, Meng You, Meng Huo’s brother, was even more adept in Daoism than Zhuge Liang. He believed that while fighting spirit might demonstrate immediate results, psychological tactics could secure peace for a lifetime; however, for lasting harmony and stability, nothing could surpass the teachings of Daoism. Thus, Meng You chose Wibao Mountain as the site for his cultivation and preaching. To this day, remnants such as Meng You’s tomb and Meng You’s well still faintly exist in the mountains.

The diligent and wise people of Weishan also early on created the legendary story of Taishang Laojun enlightening Xinuo, adding further magic and beauty to Wibao Mountain. It is said that Taishang Laojun, the ancestor of Daoism, once traveled to Wibao Mountain, enlightened the Nanzhao ancestor Meng Xinuo, and preached there. Hu Weibin’s record in the “Wild History of Nanzhao: Xinuo” states: “In the early years of the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, his father She Long, also known as Long Jiadu, brought Xinuo from Ailao Mountain to Mengshe River, farming in Weishan.” Subsequently, he accepted the abdication from Zhang Lejin, the king of the Bai Miao of the Jianning Kingdom, to establish the Great Meng Kingdom and claimed the title of Qijia King. His descendants later unified the other five kingdoms, establishing the once-prominent Nanzhao state power in southwestern China. The original birthplace of this Nanzhao Kingdom was Wibao Mountain.

Laozi, a thinker and philosopher who championed ideological discourse during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, was also the founder of Daoism. In a moment of inspiration, he experienced profound enlightenment and penned a magnificent work of five thousand words, later known as the “Tao Te Ching.” The “Tao Te Ching” elucidates the mysteries of heaven and earth, the principles of being a person, and the philosophies of governing the nation, managing the family, and bringing peace to the world. After passing down through generations, it has been revered as a classic and has contributed significantly to the formation and development of Daoism, building splendid and timeless temples. Because of the “Tao Te Ching,” Laozi was later deified as the ancestor of Daoism, Taishang Laojun. Meng Xinuo lived not long after Laozi, and since Laozi was an immortal, it is possible that when Laozi visited Wibao Mountain to teach and spread the Dao, he recognized Meng Xinuo as an extraordinary person and thus enlightened him. This led to the flourishing of the Nanzhao regime and the prosperity of Daoism in the region.

The stories are magical and beautiful, ultimately rooted in legend. Wibao Mountain today represents a tangible blend of natural landscapes, Taoist cultural architecture, Nanzhao culture, and Daoist culture. The temples on the mountain are densely packed, creating a spectacular view. The front and back mountains divide the area, with the temple architecture reflecting the principle of “Dao follows nature”: the front mountain is a series of rolling peaks with temples hidden among dense forests; the back mountain is steep and rugged, with temples often built into rock faces. Immersed in this historical and cultural hall that transcends thousands of years, the hearts and minds of people living among all things on earth are always as refreshed as if they were in a spring breeze.

At the front of Wibao Mountain, there is the Chaotian Gate, also known as the Guanzheng Pavilion, which serves as the main entrance to the mountain. According to the natural distribution of scenic spots in Wibao Mountain, from this main entrance, you can move forward, passing by Baisha Well, the Earth Lord Temple, Wenchang Palace, Yuhuang Pavilion, Guanyin Hall, Qingxia Pavilion, and the Laojun Meditative Rock, along with the Peihe Tower, Hanzhen Tower, Changchun Cave, Wanghe Pavilion, and Fengchuan Pagoda.

Yi People’s Bimo Ceremony for Ancestor Worship

The grand opening ceremony was presided over by the Yunnan Taoist Association, which also consecrated 19 bronze statues.

The ancestor worship ceremony was conducted strictly according to Yi customs. As the host solemnly announced, “The ancestor worship ceremony of the Nanzhao Earth Lord Temple is now commencing!” the sound of 13 cannon blasts, symbolizing the 13 kings of the Nanzhao Kingdom, echoed across Wibao Mountain. Twenty-six Yi folk musicians, standing around the main hall, sequentially played grand, medium, and delicate music. Dressed in Bimo attire, the Bimo began to sincerely recite the Bimo scriptures, leading the ancestor worship activity into a mysterious and ethereal realm.

Worshiping heaven and ancestors, singing and dancing. As night fell, guests from various places attending the repair ceremony joined together, singing and dancing, expressing their reverence for the heavens and ancestors.

The Special Relationship between Yi Culture and Taoism

In the Yi ethnic culture, ancestor worship is a traditional custom that represents remembrance and reverence for ancestors. In the Yi language, the word for ancestor is “zang,” which means to pray, worship, and remember. Ancestor worship in Yi culture includes a series of rituals and ceremonies, demonstrating respect for the origins and ancestry of the Yi people.

In Yi culture, the Bimo, the religious leader and priest, plays a significant role in conducting ceremonies, leading prayers, and performing rituals to communicate with ancestors and spirits. Through these activities, the Yi people express their longing for the ancestors, seeking blessings, peace, and good fortune.

The Yi people also regard the relationship between humans and nature as sacred, believing that ancestors protect and bless their descendants. Thus, ancestor worship is intertwined with the Yi people’s reverence for nature and life.

In contrast, Taoism emphasizes harmony with nature and the pursuit of longevity, advocating a path toward enlightenment and immortality. In Taoist beliefs, ancestors are viewed as part of the natural cycle of life and death, creating a spiritual connection between the living and the deceased.

The convergence of Yi culture and Taoism reflects the mutual respect and interaction between different cultural systems, creating a unique cultural landscape in the region.

This revision emphasizes the cultural and spiritual significance of Wibao Mountain and its connections to both Yi culture and Taoism, enhancing clarity and coherence while providing a comprehensive overview. Let me know if there are any specific areas you’d like to expand on or modify!