The Expression And Transition Of The Religious Belief Of Yi: An Empirical Study On Bimo Ritual

The Bimo Ritual constitutes the core part of the traditional religion of Yi Nationality in Liangshan. Regarded as " superstition", it has been always out the view of government and scholars. However, it has played an important role in people's life. Through the interpretation of key rituals and symbols, we are able to understand the spiritual consciousness of Yi, and then learn more about the change of their traditional society.There are three kinds of rites in the system of Bimo ritual: calendrical rites, rites of passage, and crisis rites. The rite of "Xioubu", which is studied as a case in this paper, is not only a crisis rite against ghosts, but also a calendrical rite for seasonal celebrations. Thus the rite of "Xioubu" can be characterized by the rites of passage, which is expanded by Victor Turner to the moment of social and season transition. Xioubu is one of the most important ritual activities in the religious life of Yi.The ritual process of Xioubu consists of three separate phases: separation, liminality or transition, and incorporation. Liminality is the most important phase, involved a prolonged period in which the participant is both literally and symbolically marginalized. During the ritual process, time and space are sacrificed, normal rules and the social hierarchy of society are negated, and Bimo, the priest, is regarded as a person of absolute authority. The whole process can be viewed as a "culture performance", which provides good opportunities of religious socialization to the young generations.Nowadays, the rite of Xioubu has changed a lot, including the reduction ofprocess and the enrichment of content. And the believers change their believes and actions too. The changes are complex. With the development of society, the Bimo rituals have moved from calendrical rites to crisis rites, and show the intendancy of religious rationalization at the same time.