A Study Of Ancestor Worship In Northeast Countryside

Ancestor worship is universal in our country,and it in the Northeast has some special characteristics due to the immigration background.Based on the analysis of the existing research,it is found that there are few systematic studies on ancestor worship in the Northeast.Although the atmosphere of ancestor worship in the Northeast is not as strong as that in the Southern,it also has research value,and many issues remain to be clarified.For example,how did ancestor worship in the Northeast form and develop,and how was it related to the social background of immigrants? How did it interact with Shamanism,a native religion in the Northeast.Therefore,this article selects the "ancestor" folk belief in H town of J province as a case,and systematically explores the ancestor worship in Northeast China.This article examines from two dimensions of time and space.First,it sorts out the origin and historical development process of ancestor worship from time.It is found that ancestor worship is based on the “home-based” social structure and people's need to resist external forces in order to gather strength.From the pre-Qin period to the reform and opening up,ancestor worship experienced a process of prevalence-decline-revival.Next,the “ancestors” folk belief is used as a case for a systematic exposition.“ancestors” folk belief,as a concrete manifestation of ancestor worship,should be examined in its specific context as a whole for its formation and development.Therefore,the natural economic situation and belief order of H town were first explained,and then the ceremonial performance of the “ancestors”folk belief was described in detail.After an inspection of H Town,the believers of the “ancestors”can be reduced to the following two groups: the first group is the “ancestors” who have believed at home for several generations and inherited from their fathers to continue to worship.It also has two salient features.The first feature is that the ancestors of the family were formerly landlords,rich farmers,and other more prestigious families.They pay more attention and have sufficient economic conditions to worship their ancestors.The other characteristic is that the ancestors of the family were immigrants.The second group is someone in the family who has the disease,and there is no genetic history of the disease in the family.There is no obvious effect through formal medical treatment,or people can choose both ways,while conducting scientific treatment and resorting to supernatural power.The object of worship of the“ancestors” folk belief can be divided into three categories.One is undoubtedly the family ancestors;the other is the ancestors who have migrated from Shandong or other areas;the third is the great granddaughter and the great grandmother who believed in the creation of mankind.Therefore,from the belief objects of the old ancestors,we can see that the object referred to by the “ancestors”in H town is broad and diverse.But the locals believe that the main influence on their lives is the ancestors recorded in the genealogy who have blood and kinship with themselves.There are three basic conditions to be able to worship the “ancestors”: first,economic conditions must be allowed;second,the name of the family's ancestors must be sufficiently complete;and third,in general,there are direct male offspring.The ritual of the “ancestors” folk belief is divided into four parts.The first is the “incense burning” ritual,the second is the welcoming ritual,the third is worship ritual,and finally is see off ancestors.Taboos also run through them.This article uses Turner's ritual symbolism and Marinowski's cultural function theory to analyze the symbolic significance of the ancestors of the “ancestors” folk belief and its function in contemporary society.It is believed that the current“ancestors” folk belief has the attributes of sacredness,ultimate care,national identity,non-selectivity,and punishment.The genealogy enshrined in the “ancestors”folk belief is a symbol of family blood and identity.The offering to the “ancestors”in the ceremony,the sacrifices offered,and the worship of the “ancestors”all symbolize the ancestors of future generations and the filial piety that he did during his lifetime has continued to the other side,and the worship of “ancestors”also symbolizes people's positive attitude towards life.“ancestors” folk beliefs play a role in moral education,social control,social integration and cultural heritage in today's society.Using the theory of acculturation,from the dimension of space,analyze the reasons and forming process of the present characteristics of the “ancestors”folk belief.It is believed that the “ancestors” folk belief is closely related to the background of the immigrant society in Northeast China.It is the result of the thought of respecting the ancestors and worshipers in Shamanism and Confucian culture.Next,it analyzes the characteristics of the current “ancestors”folk belief and the social roots of their declining trend.It is believed that it is mainly presenting the state of spontaneous inheritance mode and has a clear trend of popular belief.In addition,the eldest son inheritance system is also showing a loose state,and the belief circle is also fluid.Its diminished social roots are related to the current atomization of society and the increasing influence of Christianity.Ancestor worship is inconsistent with its teachings,and the post-70 s attitude towards folk beliefs is closely related.Finally,I reflect on the contemporary influence of “ancestors”folk belief.It has a positive effect on social development,but it also have a certain negative impact,which may cause the family's financial burden and to make people mistake the worship of ancestors is to pass on filial piety and cause or strengthen people's patriarchal concept.