The Existence of Spirit Medium “Chumaxian” of Animals Spirit in Northeast China: A Ritual Performance Approach

บทคัดย่อ

Chumaxian is a distinctive form of folk spirit mediumship centered on animal spirits in Northeast China. This belief system integrates elements of shamanism, Taoism, Buddhism, and local folk traditions, and is practiced primarily through possession rituals and everyday moral cultivation. The objectives of this study are: (1) to examine the religious concepts, moral values, symbolic imagery, and ritual practices embedded in Chumaxian belief; and (2) to analyze its social functions within contemporary Northeast Chinese society, particularly in relation to family ethics, community cohesion, psychological support, and cultural continuity.

This research adopts a qualitative approach, combining literature review, in-depth interviews, participant observation, and field investigation conducted in Boli County, Qitaihe City, Heilongjiang Province. The findings indicate that Chumaxian functions as a form of “middle-level belief” situated between institutionalized religion and individual superstition. Through spirit possession rituals, moral exhortation, and personalized guidance, Chumaxian provides believers with emotional healing, ethical orientation, and practical interpretations of life difficulties. Despite pressures from modernization, scientism, and urbanization, Chumaxian belief has not declined. Instead, it has undergone adaptive transformation through ritual simplification,digital dissemination, and cultural reconstruction.

The study argues that the persistence of Chumaxian demonstrates the cultural resilience and adaptability of Chinese folk beliefs. Rather than being a remnant of superstition, Chumaxian represents a dynamic cultural resource that continues to fulfill important psychological, social, and spiritual functions in contemporary society. Respecting the internal dynamics of such folk traditions is essential for their creative transformation and sustainable cultural preservation.