The custom of ancestor worship

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: ancestor worship custom

Applicant: Hongdong County, Shanxi Province

Item No.: 997

Project No.: Ⅹ - 90

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: folk customs

Region: Shanxi Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Hongdong County, Shanxi Province

Protection unit: Cultural Relic Management Office of dahuashu migration site in Hongdong County

A brief introduction to the custom of ancestor worship (the custom of ancestor worship by Sophora japonica)

Applicant: Hongdong County, Shanxi Province

The immigration activities of Sophora japonica in Hongdong, Shanxi Province began in the period of Song Dynasty and ended in the middle and late Qing Dynasty, with the climax of more than 50 years between the early years of Hongwu and the 15th year of Yongle in Ming Dynasty. The frequent wars and chaos in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasty resulted in the situation that the Central Plains was vast and sparsely populated. However, Shanxi was not greatly affected by the great changes of the dynasties, and still maintained a large population. Therefore, in the early Ming Dynasty, the imperial court moved out of Shanxi 18 times in 50 years, among which Pingyang house had the largest number of immigrants, and the concentrated immigration address was under the big locust tree outside Guangji temple in Hongdong county.

The immigration movement of Da Huai Shu in Hongdong, Shanxi Province is the largest one in Chinese history. It directly involves 1230 surnames and Han, Hui, Mongolian and other nationalities. The immigration places cover 498 counties (cities) of 18 provinces (cities) in China. Today, the descendants of the immigrants of Sophora japonica are all over the world. For hundreds of years, they have used all kinds of opportunities to return to the great locust tree to worship their ancestors, forming a rich immigration legend and a long tradition of ancestor worship. Therefore, the great locust tree has become a symbol for Chinese people to seek their roots and ask their ancestors. Since 1991, Hongdong county government has adapted to the people's conditions and absorbed a large number of folk sacrificial rituals on the basis of hundreds of years of folk ancestor worship activities. From April 1 to April 10 every year, the "root seeking ancestor worship Festival" has been held to turn the long-standing ancestor worship custom of Sophora japonica tree into a grand folk activity of official and people's joint sacrifice, which has received a warm response from the descendants of immigrants at home and abroad.

The custom of offering sacrifices to the ancestors of the great locust tree is a vivid reflection of the historical situation of the Chinese nation with the same roots and ancestors. It strengthens the cultural identity of the overseas compatriots, promotes the harmonious coexistence of the Chinese people in the world, and works hand in hand to create a better future under the guidance of traditional Chinese culture.