Manchu folk religion or Manchu traditional religion is the ethnic religion practiced by most of the Manchu people, the major Tungusic group in China. It can also be called Manchu shamanism by virtue of the word "shaman" being originally from Tungusicšamán ("man of knowledge"),[1] later applied by Western scholars to similar religious practices in other cultures.
Manchu ethnoreligious symbol.
It is an animistic and polytheistic religion, believing in several gods and spirits, led by a universal sky god called Abka Enduri ("Sky God" or "God of Heaven"), also referred to as Abka Han ("Sky Khan" or "Khan of Heaven") and Abka Ama ("Sky Father"), originally Abka Hehe ("Sky Woman", by extension "Sky Mother") who is the source of all life and creation.[2] Deities (enduri) enliven every aspect of nature, and the worship of these gods is believed to bring favour, health and prosperity.[3] Many of the deities were originally Manchu ancestors, and people with the same surname are generated by the same god.[4]
Shamans are persons of unusual ability, strength and sensitivity, capable of perception and prediction of the ways of the gods. They are endowed with the social function to conduct the sacrificial ceremonies and approach the deities asking them intervention or protection. Because of their abilities the shamans are people of great authority and prestige. Usually, every Manchu kin has its own shaman.[3]
Manchu folk religious rites were standardised by the Qianlong Emperor (1736–96) in the "Manchu Sacrificial Ritual to the Gods and Heaven" (Manjusai wecere metere kooli bithe), a manual published in Manchu in 1747 and in Chinese (Manzhou jishen jitian dianli) in 1780.[4][5] With the conquest of imperial power in China (Qing dynasty) the Manchu people gradually adopted Chinese language and assimilated into the Chinese religion, although Manchu folk religion persists with a distinct character within broader Chinese religion. Today Manchu Shamanism has between 700,000-900,000 followers.
Study of Manchu religion usually distinguishes two types of ritual, "domestic" and "primitive", which can be performed in two cultic settings, "imperial" and "common". The domestic ritual primarily involves the sacrifices for the progenitors of lineages and is the most important, while the primitive ritual involves the sacrifices for zoomorphic gods.[6] The ritual manual of Qianlong was an attempt to adapt all kins' ritual traditions to the style of the imperial kin's ritual tradition. This was only partially effective as common cults were preserved and revitalised over time.[7]
The ancestral ritual is the same in the common and imperial cults.[8] It is composed of three main moments: the dawn sacrifice (Chinese: chaoji), the sunset sacrifice (xiji) and the "light-extinguishing" sacrifice (beidingji) held at midnight. Both common and imperial rituals make use of the gods' pole (Chinese: 神杆shéngān or 神柱shénzhù, Manchu: šomo) as a means of establishing connection with Heaven.[8]
While the domestic ritual is bright and harmonious, the primitive or "wild" ritual is associated with darkness and mystery.[9] Deities involved are not those of the sky, the earth or the ancestors, but are zoomorphic chthonic deities. With its reliance on techniques of ecstasy, the primitive ritual had long been discouraged by the court (Hong Taiji proscribed it as early as 1636).[9]
Temples and gods
Manchu religious cults originally took place in shrines called tangse (Chinese: 堂子tángzi, "hall"; or 谒庙yèmiào, "visitation temple")[10]) but at least by 1673 all communal tangse were prohibited with the exception of the imperial cult building. Households continued their rituals at private altars called weceku.[8]
Common cults gradually adopted deities from Chinese religion in addition to Tungusic gods. Guwan mafa (关帝Guāndì, Divus Guan), whose martial character appealed to the Manchus, became one of the most beloved deities. Another popular cult was that of the Goddess (娘娘Niángniáng).[8]
Elliott, Mark C. (2001). The Manchu Way: The Eight Banners and Ethnic Identity in Late Imperial China. Religious Studies in Contemporary China Collection. Vol. 1. Stanford University Press. ISBN978-0804746847.
Pang, Tatiana A. (1993). ""Praying in the Darkness": New Texts for a Little-Known Manchu Shamanic Rite". Shaman: Journal of the International Society for Shamanistic Research. Budapest: Molnar & Kelemen Oriental Publishers. 1 (1–2). ISSN 1216-7827.
Ma, Xisha; Meng, Huiying (2011). Popular Religion and Shamanism. Religious Studies in Contemporary China Collection. Vol. 1. Brill. ISBN978-9004174559.
Shirokogorov, Sergey Mikhailovich (1929). Social organization of the Northern Tungus. Garland. ISBN978-0824096205.
March 04, 2023
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Manchu folk religion or Manchu traditional religion is the ethnic religion practiced by most of the Manchu people the major Tungusic group in China It can also be called Manchu shamanism by virtue of the word shaman being originally from Tungusic saman man of knowledge 1 later applied by Western scholars to similar religious practices in other cultures Manchu ethnoreligious symbol It is an animistic and polytheistic religion believing in several gods and spirits led by a universal sky god called Abka Enduri Sky God or God of Heaven also referred to as Abka Han Sky Khan or Khan of Heaven and Abka Ama Sky Father originally Abka Hehe Sky Woman by extension Sky Mother who is the source of all life and creation 2 Deities enduri enliven every aspect of nature and the worship of these gods is believed to bring favour health and prosperity 3 Many of the deities were originally Manchu ancestors and people with the same surname are generated by the same god 4 Shamans are persons of unusual ability strength and sensitivity capable of perception and prediction of the ways of the gods They are endowed with the social function to conduct the sacrificial ceremonies and approach the deities asking them intervention or protection Because of their abilities the shamans are people of great authority and prestige Usually every Manchu kin has its own shaman 3 Manchu folk religious rites were standardised by the Qianlong Emperor 1736 96 in the Manchu Sacrificial Ritual to the Gods and Heaven Manjusai wecere metere kooli bithe a manual published in Manchu in 1747 and in Chinese Manzhou jishen jitian dianli in 1780 4 5 With the conquest of imperial power in China Qing dynasty the Manchu people gradually adopted Chinese language and assimilated into the Chinese religion although Manchu folk religion persists with a distinct character within broader Chinese religion Today Manchu Shamanism has between 700 000 900 000 followers Contents 1 History 2 Rituals 3 Temples and gods 4 See also 5 References 5 1 Citations 5 2 SourcesHistory EditMain article Shamanism in the Qing dynastyRituals EditStudy of Manchu religion usually distinguishes two types of ritual domestic and primitive which can be performed in two cultic settings imperial and common The domestic ritual primarily involves the sacrifices for the progenitors of lineages and is the most important while the primitive ritual involves the sacrifices for zoomorphic gods 6 The ritual manual of Qianlong was an attempt to adapt all kins ritual traditions to the style of the imperial kin s ritual tradition This was only partially effective as common cults were preserved and revitalised over time 7 The ancestral ritual is the same in the common and imperial cults 8 It is composed of three main moments the dawn sacrifice Chinese chaoji the sunset sacrifice xiji and the light extinguishing sacrifice beidingji held at midnight Both common and imperial rituals make use of the gods pole Chinese 神杆 shengan or 神柱 shenzhu Manchu somo as a means of establishing connection with Heaven 8 While the domestic ritual is bright and harmonious the primitive or wild ritual is associated with darkness and mystery 9 Deities involved are not those of the sky the earth or the ancestors but are zoomorphic chthonic deities With its reliance on techniques of ecstasy the primitive ritual had long been discouraged by the court Hong Taiji proscribed it as early as 1636 9 Temples and gods EditManchu religious cults originally took place in shrines called tangse Chinese 堂子 tangzi hall or 谒庙 yemiao visitation temple 10 but at least by 1673 all communal tangse were prohibited with the exception of the imperial cult building Households continued their rituals at private altars called weceku 8 Common cults gradually adopted deities from Chinese religion in addition to Tungusic gods Guwan mafa 关帝 Guandi Divus Guan whose martial character appealed to the Manchus became one of the most beloved deities Another popular cult was that of the Goddess 娘娘 Niangniang 8 See also EditChinese folk religion Chinese shamanism Mongolian shamanismReferences EditCitations Edit Elliott 2001 p 235 Shirokogorov 1929 p 204 a b Elliott 2001 p 236 a b Ma amp Meng 2011 p 381 Elliott 2001 p 238 Elliott 2001 pp 236 237 Elliott 2001 pp 238 239 a b c d Elliott 2001 p 239 a b Elliott 2001 p 240 Elliott 2001 pp 465 66 note 13 Sources Edit Elliott Mark C 2001 The Manchu Way The Eight Banners and Ethnic Identity in Late Imperial China Religious Studies in Contemporary China Collection Vol 1 Stanford University Press ISBN 978 0804746847 Pang Tatiana A 1993 Praying in the Darkness New Texts for a Little Known Manchu Shamanic Rite Shaman Journal of the International Society for Shamanistic Research Budapest Molnar amp Kelemen Oriental Publishers 1 1 2 ISSN 1216 7827 Ma Xisha Meng Huiying 2011 Popular Religion and Shamanism Religious Studies in Contemporary China Collection Vol 1 Brill ISBN 978 9004174559 Shirokogorov Sergey Mikhailovich 1929 Social organization of the Northern Tungus Garland ISBN 978 0824096205 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Manchu shamanism amp oldid 1142262095, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
