Ritual Leaders in North China Local Communities in the Twentieth Century: A Report on Research in Progress

Abstract

The topic of this research note is part of a book-length project now in progress, entitled ”Local Religion in North China: the Structure and Organization of Community Rituals and Beliefs,” for which I have been observing, collecting and reading since 2000. Most of my material is about such traditions in Hebei, Shanxi and Shandong, with some evidence as well from Shaanxi and other areas. This material indicates that local religion is deeply institutionalized in village and district society, organized and paid for by the people themselves for their own purposes. Those who would like to see a detailed outline of this project can contact me at eodano@shaw.ca. In north China, the most important community rituals are those in honor of the birthdays of local protective deities to invoke their protection for another year, and rituals to petition for rain. These rituals are organized and carried out by village leaders in cooperation with those who have specific ritual duties and roles, such as yinyang masters, zhuli; those in overall charge of the rituals, such as xiangtou (incense heads), spiritmediums, etc.; as well as specialized participants, such as tingshi, weishi, qianhang, and shenjia, respectively bearers of images and offerings for them, bearers of ritual umbrellas to protect the offerings, leaders of opera troupes, and leaders of ”godly families” who recite the names of the gods. These ritualists begin practicing for their roles weeks or months before the ceremonies begin. There is evidence for the participation in some vil-lage rituals of Buddhist monks and Daoist priests, but for the most part the leaders in these rituals are lay people from the village or its surrounding area. Of course, even when priests are present they have been invited by village leaders to perform specific ritual functions. Some Daoists are described as married farmers who live in a local temple. It is possible that more clergy were involved in the past, but many of the monasteries and temples in which they would have lived have been destroyed, particularly since the late 19th century. This research note will describe the roles and activities of local ritual leaders by geographical areas and types of ceremonies, and note their contributions to the order, structure, and inner logic of community festivals.