On Nandan Bai Ku-yao Nationality’ Religious Beliefs
Abstract
Bai Ku-yao, a branch of the Yao Nationality, most of them live in Nandan County in Guangxi. “The animatism”, which is constituted of natural worship, totem worship and ancestor worship, is the core of their religion. The natural worship apotheosizes the nature. Bai Ku-yao believes that from the hosts of heaven to mountains and rivers, and even the fish in water, all have the corresponding god in management. The totem worship links up the apotheosis of the natural objects with people. The Bai Ku-yao worships panhu, spiders and bronze drum for they believe that panhu is their common ancestor as well as spiders and bronze drum are their national hero. Bai Ku-yao believe that the soul of their primogenitor and forbears do not perish and, they live in another world. The ancestor worship is reflected by the sacrifice and funeral rites.
Keywords: Nandan, Bai Ku-yao nationality, Natural worship, Totem worship, Ancestor worship
