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Southern China: shamans and the Kitchen God

FEATURE (Category: Asia | China | winter | cultural-historical | outdoor | cycling)

Southern China: shamans and the Kitchen God

Although the economic boom is rapidly changing the face of China's cities, the more remote and mountainous regions of the country retain much of their original atmosphere. The traveller who visits the country during the period of Chinese New Year can expect to be welcomed by shamans, the Kitchen God, Spring Couplets and many curious, hospitable villagers.

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  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.219] ’Out-door lesson.’ At a school in Daning, north-east of Hexian, teachers are giving an out-door lesson in Chinese geography. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.219] ’Out-door lesson.’ At a school in Daning, north-east of Hexian, teachers are giving an out-door lesson in Chinese geography. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.239] ’Daning.’ Market at Daning, north-east of Hexian. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.239] ’Daning.’ Market at Daning, north-east of Hexian. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.251] ’Dragon-dance.’ A New Year dragon-dance is performed by members of the Miao mountain tribe at a village 20 km east of Hexian. In the foreground a table with offerings for the Miao gods can be seen. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.251] ’Dragon-dance.’ A New Year dragon-dance is performed by members of the Miao mountain tribe at a village 20 km east of Hexian. In the foreground a table with offerings for the Miao gods can be seen. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.261] ’Shaman of Miao tribe-1.’ At a village 20 km east of Hexian a shaman of the Miao mountain tribe holds a ritual sword and has his cheeks pierced by a golden pin. The yellow papers at his belt are fu-talismans, the burnt rests of which can be used as a medicine. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.261] ’Shaman of Miao tribe-1.’ At a village 20 km east of Hexian a shaman of the Miao mountain tribe holds a ritual sword and has his cheeks pierced by a golden pin. The yellow papers at his belt are fu-talismans, the burnt rests of which can be used as a medicine. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.269] ’Shaman pupil of Miao tribe.’ At a village 20 km east of Hexian a shaman pupil of the Miao mountain tribe is surrounded by tribe members. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.269] ’Shaman pupil of Miao tribe.’ At a village 20 km east of Hexian a shaman pupil of the Miao mountain tribe is surrounded by tribe members. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.274] ’Doing the dishes.’ At San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe, some men are doing the dishes after a New Year temple-fair. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.274] ’Doing the dishes.’ At San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe, some men are doing the dishes after a New Year temple-fair. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.281] ’Collecting temple-gifts.’ Temple-officials are collecting and registering New Year gifts to the village temple at San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe, 20 km east of Hexian. After completion the red registers are glued tot the temple-wall. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.281] ’Collecting temple-gifts.’ Temple-officials are collecting and registering New Year gifts to the village temple at San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe, 20 km east of Hexian. After completion the red registers are glued tot the temple-wall. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.292] 'Surrounded by village elder-2.' A shaman pupil and his mother are surrounded by village elder in their temple during a New Year festivities at San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.292] 'Surrounded by village elder-2.' A shaman pupil and his mother are surrounded by village elder in their temple during a New Year festivities at San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.302] ’Shaman pupil in temple.’ A shaman pupil sits before the offering table in a temple during New Year festivities at San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.302] ’Shaman pupil in temple.’ A shaman pupil sits before the offering table in a temple during New Year festivities at San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.310] ’Procession of Miao mountain tribe (2).’ During New Year festivities east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe carry a covered sedan-chair concealing ritual images through the fields. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.310] ’Procession of Miao mountain tribe (2).’ During New Year festivities east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe carry a covered sedan-chair concealing ritual images through the fields. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.312] 'Procession with Miao shamans-2.' During New Year festivities in the Hejiang valley east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe carry their shamans in sedan-chairs. The cheeks of the shamans are pierced by golden pins as proof of their special powers. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.312] 'Procession with Miao shamans-2.' During New Year festivities in the Hejiang valley east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe carry their shamans in sedan-chairs. The cheeks of the shamans are pierced by golden pins as proof of their special powers. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.317] ’Special powers.’ During New Year festivities in the Hejiang valley east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe carry a shaman in a sedan-chair. The shaman is standing barefoot on sharp ridges as a proof of her special powers. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.317] ’Special powers.’ During New Year festivities in the Hejiang valley east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe carry a shaman in a sedan-chair. The shaman is standing barefoot on sharp ridges as a proof of her special powers. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.321] ’Ping-pong.’ In the last rays of the evening sun villagers are playing ping-pong on a square in Tongan, 45 km south-east of Yangshuo. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.321] ’Ping-pong.’ In the last rays of the evening sun villagers are playing ping-pong on a square in Tongan, 45 km south-east of Yangshuo. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.224] ’Gathering ‘douchy’.’ At Daning, north-east of Hexian, after having been dried on big round plates, this worker is gathering ‘douchy’ in baskets. ‘Douchy’ are fermented soya beans which are used as a food spice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.224] ’Gathering ‘douchy’.’ At Daning, north-east of Hexian, after having been dried on big round plates, this worker is gathering ‘douchy’ in baskets. ‘Douchy’ are fermented soya beans which are used as a food spice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.248] ’Road-side shrine.’ Small road-side shrine at Daning, north-east of Hexian. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.248] ’Road-side shrine.’ Small road-side shrine at Daning, north-east of Hexian. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.256] ’Pig’s head.’ During New Year festivities at a village 20 km east of Hexian a shaman of the Miao mountain tribe is carried in a sedan-chair to an offering table which displays among others a pig’s head. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.256] ’Pig’s head.’ During New Year festivities at a village 20 km east of Hexian a shaman of the Miao mountain tribe is carried in a sedan-chair to an offering table which displays among others a pig’s head. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.266] 'Shaman of Miao tribe-2.' At a village 20 km east of Hexian a shaman of the Miao mountain tribe holds a ritual sword and has his cheeks pierced by a golden pin. The yellow papers at his belt are fu-talismans, the burnt rests of which can be used as a medicine. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.266] 'Shaman of Miao tribe-2.' At a village 20 km east of Hexian a shaman of the Miao mountain tribe holds a ritual sword and has his cheeks pierced by a golden pin. The yellow papers at his belt are fu-talismans, the burnt rests of which can be used as a medicine. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.273] 'Waiting for hot water.' At San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe, cooks are waiting till the water boils during a New Year temple-fair. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.273] 'Waiting for hot water.' At San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe, cooks are waiting till the water boils during a New Year temple-fair. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.277] ’Fortune-teller.’ At San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe, tribe-members gather around the offering-table in the village temple during New Year festivities. The fortune-teller of the village is seated at the table by a large book with spells. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.277] ’Fortune-teller.’ At San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe, tribe-members gather around the offering-table in the village temple during New Year festivities. The fortune-teller of the village is seated at the table by a large book with spells. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.289] ’Surrounded by village elder-1.’ A shaman pupil and his mother are surrounded by village elder in their temple during a New Year festivities at San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.289] ’Surrounded by village elder-1.’ A shaman pupil and his mother are surrounded by village elder in their temple during a New Year festivities at San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.296] ’Shaman pupil and his mother.’ A shaman pupil and his mother sit before the offering table in a temple during New Year festivities at San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.296] ’Shaman pupil and his mother.’ A shaman pupil and his mother sit before the offering table in a temple during New Year festivities at San Wang Miao, a village of the Miao mountain tribe. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.308] ’Procession of Miao mountain tribe (1).’ In the Hejiang valley east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe file in procession through the fields during New Year. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.308] ’Procession of Miao mountain tribe (1).’ In the Hejiang valley east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe file in procession through the fields during New Year. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.311] ’Procession with Miao shamans-1.’ During New Year festivities in the Hejiang valley east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe carry their shamans in sedan-chairs. The cheeks of the shamans are pierced by golden pins as proof of their special powers. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.311] ’Procession with Miao shamans-1.’ During New Year festivities in the Hejiang valley east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe carry their shamans in sedan-chairs. The cheeks of the shamans are pierced by golden pins as proof of their special powers. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.315] ’Miao shaman.’ In the Hejiang valley east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe carry a shaman in a sedan-chair. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.315] ’Miao shaman.’ In the Hejiang valley east of Hexian, members of a Miao mountain tribe carry a shaman in a sedan-chair. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.319] ’Carrying water.’ A farmer’s wife is carrying water to cabbage fields at the foot of eroded lime-stone hills near Gong An, 32 km west of Hexian. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [CHINA.GUANGXI 25.319] ’Carrying water.’ A farmer’s wife is carrying water to cabbage fields at the foot of eroded lime-stone hills near Gong An, 32 km west of Hexian. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

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