Sa Momo:Research Of Folk Children Rearing And Discease Warding Off

The custom of "Sa Momo(namely throwing Steamed buns)" in Lingnan village,Qufu city,is a children rearing and disease warding off custom,which is about vaccination against smallpox in old days.The thesis takes "Sa Momo" for research object,through the method of field investigation and literature review,probe into the historical and cultural meaning of the custom,people's cognition and practices about children rearing and disease.And use the theory of ritual studies of folklore and anthropology,to analyze the meaning of the ritual of the custom,and how people construct and inherit the local cultures,and social change behind the ritual change of the custom.This paper is divided into four chapters.In the first chapter,mainly introduce the living conditions of Lingnan villagers,their spiritual world and their cognition and practice about disease.Located in the southwest of Qufu,Shandong,Lingnan village has a long history and convenient transportation.The land transfer policy is implemented in this village,most of the villagers lived by farming and working outside.Most young people don't have a high level of education,they marry and settle down in a very young age.The traditional festival in the village is plentiful but simple.The villagers are kind of alienated from divinity,however they have a belief in Mama who can cure scared children.In terms of life etiquette,the villagers think highly of lives and pay much attention to nursing children,therefore there are many customs about children rearing.In the second chapter,elaborate the section and ritual activities of "Sa Momo".More than 30 years ago,children are required to "Zhong Huahua"(have vaccination),which usually took place in February in the lunar calendar.After that the cowpox would break out,and leave behind a pimple scar.When it came to April,relatives would bring food,such as Shaobing(clay oven rolls),to see the vaccinated child,which named "Diao Geba".When it came to June,l,people would send the"Pox Goddess" away.First "Gua Hongzi"(hanging a red banner),then burning incense in the morning,at noon took "Sa Momo" to neighbors.And at last took the bun,the red banner outside to burn them together.This named "Fen Hongzi"(burning the red banner).Sending the Pox Goddess is mean to reward her for protecting children from disease.In the third chapter,trace the origin and evolution of the custom.Through the literature review,we know that the custom originated from the history of smallpox outbreak,and people developed vaccination to prevent and cure smallpox.The crowd developed a folk belief of the God of plague pox.Owing to smallpox often infected children,and children is always the focus of a family,they formed a "Douzhen Niangniang"(pox goddess)worship.In addition,"Sa Momo"has a close relationship with Chinese's cognition to the disease and their immunization practices.When it came to the late Qing Dynasty,there is a "Moderate Year" argument.All of these can be regarded as the important factors to the custom's formation and evolution.In the fourth chapter,mainly analyze the deep connotation behind the custom from folklore and anthropology perspective.Sa Momo reflects people's awe and profound sense of life.They express the appeal of protecting lives and dispelling diseases through the ritual.The goddess belief reflects the important role of women in the birth process.Sa Momo is also full of symbolic things,reflects the traditional knowledge and the spiritual world of local people.As a kind of life etiquette,Sa Momo is also a rite of passage,marking that children had come through a hurdle in life,finally free of the disease,and could grow up healthily.Although smallpox was eradicated as early as thirty years ago,the social economy has got a long-term development,and custom still obtains a vigorous survival.It is because the theme of survival and live has not changed,the traditional custom is still a special way for people to express their spiritual appeal.In addition,they also play an important role in people's daily life and communication.Therefore,we should look at the traditional customs in a rational and equal manner.