A Study Of Wang Gong Belief In Jichang Tun Of Anshun

Tunpu culture in Anshun,Guizhou originated from the Han culture in Anhui and Jiangxi in Ming Dynasty.After historical evolution,Tunpu developed from a military village to a folk one,blending with the local Han and minority cultures and forming a unique cultural phenomenon.Wang Gong belief originated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in Anhui,and has been well inherited and developed in central Guizhou,becoming an indispensable part of Tunpu culture of Anshun.Wang Gong belief has deep historical and cultural connotations,which are related to hero identification,worship and inheritance of cultural values.This dissertation mainly traces the origin of Wang Gong belief from the perspective of historical development,and understands its "primitive form",germination period and evolution process.The belief of Wang Gong originated in Huizhou,Anhui Province,yet it has been well protected and inherited in Guizhou,due to its folk roles and cultural value in Tunpu."Lifting Wang Gong",listed as a national intangible cultural heritage,is an important activity for the belief.This dissertation holds that Wang Gong belief should be fully utilized in the context of protecting,inheriting precious intangible cultural heritage and revitalizing the countryside and protecting traditional villages,and in the context of the government's advocacy of a harmonious society.In this study,through field work,with the help of relevant folk data,the author illustrates the importance of rural revitalization for the inheritance and development of local culture by taking Jichang Village(Tun),a village which is well developed in the belief of Wang Gong,as an example.Jichang Tun's Lifting Wang Gong was listed as Guizhou's second-batch provincial intangible cultural heritage in 2007,granted the highest national art honor,that is,"Mountain Flower Award",in Guangzhou in 2008,and included on the national list of intangible cultural heritage in 2014.As a result,Wang Gong belief,one of the most typical faiths in Tunpu area,is worth studyingThis dissertation consists of Introduction,Body(five chapters)and ConclusionThe first chapter gives a brief introduction to the origin of Wang Gong belief,that is,its "primitive form" and germination period,and shows that Wang Gong belief is closely related to the heroic deeds and noble folk image of Wang Hua in Huizhou of Anhui Province.The belief has lasted for a long time,including the Song,Yuan,Ming and Qing Dynasties,until now.In this sense,Wang Gong belief has been inherited throughout many dynasties and eras,displaying the feature of inheritance sustainability.The second chapter presents a general situation of Wang Gong belief in Jichang Tun.The villagers here all believe in Wang Gong,praying before Wang Gong statue for their good wishes of better living or overcoming of hardships.Jichang Tun is a village of historic significance,and Tunjun(Garrison)Mountain is an important component of the village.Wang Gong belief originated in Huizhou area and later spread to the central part of Guizhou.The cultural model of Wang Gong belief took root in the central part of Guizhou.It has been lasting until now.It is closely related to the historical event,that is,the great cause of reunifying the motherland by sending troops to the southwestern part of China in Zhu Yuanzhang's reigning period.Jichang Tun is a village where Wang Gong belief is particularly evident in the whole Tunpu area.The villagers believe in Wang Gong,which plays an important role in regulating social relations,family education and the smooth development of public sacrificial activities in this village.Chapter Three discusses the historical origin of Wang Gong Temple(an important site of Wang Gong belief),describes its construction layout in Jichang Tun,and explains its functions.The Temple shows the inner world of people's beliefs through obj ects and related worship activities.It can be said that people's belief in Wang Gong can be embodied materially or/and spiritually,which shows an integrated effect.The fourth chapter further demonstrates an important manifestation of Wang Gong belief,namely,Carrying or Lifting Wang Gong".This dissertation explains the "18 Conference" of Jichang,a non-governmental organization of "Lifting Wang Gong" in Jichang Tun.Through participating in the ceremony of "Lifting Wang Gong",the author shows the whole process in detail.Finally,the culture of the ceremony of"Lifting Wang Gong" is analyzed."Lifting Wang Gong" has continued in Jichang Tun,revealing the evolution of folk beliefs.It has been inherited and developed in Guizhou Province,which can enrich the implications of Wang Gong's stories and play a supporting role in the sustainability of Wang Gong belief.The fifth chapter discusses Wang Gong belief in terms of cultural function.It can embody the functions of instructions,regulations and cohesion.Also,it demonstrates such aspects of inheritance value as strengthening folk cohesion,helping the villagers set up correct value of life,inspiring the local people to cherish their livelihood,and mobilizing the folk to protect traditional culture.Wang Gong belief can exercise an active role in the revitalization of traditional culture in Tunpu villages of Anshun.Under the circumstances where the State advocates the inheritance of excellent folk culture,it is able to play a further promoting roles.This chapter illustrates that Wang Gong belief has a decisive influence in Jichang Tun from the perspectives of cohesion,three views of value,and the protection of traditional culture.Wang Gong belief is an important folklore in Jichang Tun of Anshun while Lifting Wang Gong is a significant activity for the belief.This study combines document reading and field work to present a comprehensive picture of the inheritance of Wang Gong belief in space and time dimensions.The related perspectives are both diachronic and synchronic.The conclusion reiterates the significance of Wang Gong belief,which should be enlightening to researchers and relevant government departments.