The Exploration of Lingyang Ceremony in Contemporary Gansu, China

Abstract

This article delves into the "Lingyang" ceremony, a revered ancestral veneration ritual within Gansu's funeral culture in Northwest China. "Ling" meaning "receive" and "Yang" referring to "sheep," encapsulates the ritual's essence of using animals to bridge the spiritual and material worlds. The paper detailed the Lingyang ceremony's complicated practices, particularly in Jingyuan and Jingtai counties, highlighting its profound anthropological significance. The paper draws comparisons between the Lingyang ceremony in Gansu and the animal sacrifice rituals of Haitian Voodoo, highlighting the similarities in their use of animals as conduits between the material and spiritual worlds. Furthermore, the study explores the "Lingyang" ceremony's historical evolution against the backdrop of societal changes and examines its relevance in the modern context of globalization and modernization. This exploration not only deepens the understanding of Gansu's funeral rites but also engages in the broader conversation on the resilience of traditional customs in contemporary society. Through a detailed comparative analysis, the article offers insights into how such rituals adapt while retaining their core identity, reflecting the dynamic interplay between tradition and change.