The cult of Daba as the main religion of the Mosuo people in China

Occupation: Senior Lecturer, Chinese Language Department, Institute of Foreign Languages
Affiliation: Moscow City University
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Polina Nemova

Occupation: Third-year student, Chinese Language Department
Affiliation: Moscow City University. Russia
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Journal name

Asia and Africa Today

Edition

Issue 2

Pages

64-69

Abstract

The article presents a brief description of the Mosuo minority, living in southern China, in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, and the position of the ethnic group in modern China. The research mainly focuses on their religion, Daba shamanism, which influenced all spheres of life and culture of the Mosuo.

Daba is one of the symbols of the Mosuo people, which to this day contributes to the formation of their identity and cultural heritage. According to some Chinese researchers, Daba is a primitive religion and originated before our era. It reflects the worldview this Mosuo minority and contains their value system. Over time, due to the close proximity of Yunnan province to the Tibetan Autonomous Region, the Mosuo beliefs have absorbed elements of Tibetan Buddhism. However, Daba, as a religion, did not cease to exist, instead, it united with buddhism to serve the Mosuo people.

The article describes what spirits and deities are worshiped by the Mosuo, their place in the Daba religion and significance for people's lives. It also tells us about the intermediaries between people and gods - shamans Daba, the rituals they perform and the ritual attributes they use. The Mosuo religion is unique, because it has not only survived to this day, but also has a great influence on the habits and customs of the Mosuo people. Despite external factors, the religion of Daba remains distinctive to this day. For centuries, it has served to unite the Mosuo, which, in turn, through the canons, continuously pass on their history and culture to their descendants. Consequently, Daba shamanism has a tremendous influence on the worldview and religious views of the Mosuo people. Thereby, Daba is undoubtedly a unique example of the ancient religion and a cultural value of China.

Keywords

China, national minorities, Yunnan, Mosuo, shamanism, Daba

Received

12.11.2020

Publication date

17.03.2021

Number of characters

17080

Cite

GOST	Popova A., Nemova P. The cult of Daba as the main religion of the Mosuo people in China // Asia and Africa Today – 2021. – Issue 2 C. 64-69 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://asaf-today.ru/S032150750013962-0-1 (circulation date: 20.04.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S032150750013962-0
MLA	Popova, Anastasiya, Nemova, Polina "The cult of Daba as the main religion of the Mosuo people in China." Asia and Africa Today 2 (2021):64-69. DOI: 10.31857/S032150750013962-0
APA	Popova A., Nemova P. (2021). The cult of Daba as the main religion of the Mosuo people in China. Asia and Africa Today (2), pp.64-69 DOI: 10.31857/S032150750013962-0

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