Research On Chaoshan Tang-ki Custom

The tang-ki phenomenon is a very special and mysterious ancient folk-custom of Chaoshan(Teochew) Region that is closely linked to the native people’s lives. Locals of Teochew seekinstructions from an “efficacious” tang-ki for any major event during their lifetimes. Sometang-kis will perform their truly breathtaking capabilities during the traditional festivals.This thesis focuses on the tang-ki custom of the Teochew Region. In an extensive sense, thetang-ki is a form of Shamanism. Like Shamans, tang-kis also enter into a state of trance whenpracticing witchcraft. Such a state is called “Chuji” or “Qiji”, which is the most importantactivity of the tang-ki custom in Teochew region. The activities of the tang-ki include those forpeople’s private affairs and those for the public affairs. The former focuses on the individual orfamily matters which are closely related to the people’s lives. People usually go to a tang-ki fordivination guidance for their family welfare at the beginning of a new year, mostly forpsychological comfort. When suffering some unknown diseases or difficulties, they will resort totang-ki for advice.The public tang-ki practice centers on the local community, usually involving a martialtang-ki’s Chuji performances, which are believed to be joined by gods as well. The tang-kis takea leading role in the regional festival parades, during which they are carried on a nail-studdedsedan chair or a bed of blades, worshiped as living gods. After the parade, they may performmiraculous feats like fire walking, self-flagellating, or climbing a ladder of knives, etc. All ofthese activities are for the purpose of expelling evil spirits and bringing auspicious benefits forthe people in the region. The public practice exhibits the diversity of Teochew traditional culture,including opera, music, art costumes and other folk cultural forms. Actually, the “magic” powerdemonstrated by tang-kis in their performance are the result of years of hard training and someof them are well endowed with an ability of quick reaction or an unusual faculty of memory. Andtang-kis’ super performance is nothing mysterious at all, for they perform in a state of trance inwhich they become callous to pain. Besides, they also apply some scientific way eitherconsciously or unconsciously.The tang-ki custom plays an important role in Teochew society and it has great impact on the society. It has both positive and negative functions. With the rapid development ofmodernization, some elements of the tang-ki customs are changing. However, as a rooted folkbelief in people’s notion, it still plays an important role to date, especially under the currentcontext of moral corruption and money worship. It can bring spiritual comfort to peopleconfused by the social abnormalities. We should realize its positive functions in society while notignore its negative impacts. Only through a rational guidance, can it develop in a healthy way forour society.