Ewenki Shaman Dance

Name of Chinese national intangible cultural heritage: Ewenki Shaman Dance

Applicant: Genhe City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Project No.: 1093

Project No.: Ⅲ - 104

Time of publication: 2011 (the third batch)

Category: traditional dance

Region: Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Type: new item

Applicant: Genhe City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Protected by: Genhe Cultural Center

Introduction to Ewenki Shaman Dance

Applicant: Genhe City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Shaman Dance of Ewenki nationality is a kind of sacrificial dance performed by shamans (i.e. witches) in the activities of praying for gods, offering sacrifices, expelling evil spirits and curing diseases. It is also a kind of witchcraft activity of praying for gods and protecting the people. It is performed by male and female witches respectively.

The performing procedure of Shaman Dance generally includes praying, inviting God, attaching God, sending God and so on. During the performance, shamans wear antler caps or bear caps to simulate the image of animals.

By means of dance, Ewenki shamans act as messengers to communicate the relationship between gods and human beings, dancing in prayer, Incantation, chanting and drumming. During the dance, the shaman hits the drum with his hands (i.e. grasps the drum) and swings his strength slightly at the waist. His steps are mostly walking, whirling and jumping. While beating the drum, he chants prayers or incantations. At the climax of the dance, the drum sounds fast and the action is intense, which seems to reach the realm of the gods. When the shaman admitted that he was inspired by God, he made all kinds of fighting actions, accompanied by strong shouts, danced and did all kinds of exorcism.

There are still animal bones, animal teeth, drum face and animal skin on drumsticks, which are used as dancing tools. The traces of nature worship and totem worship of Ewenki in the primitive clan era can be seen.

Shaman Dance is a mysterious folk custom of Ewenki nationality, which has a high reference value for the study of its history and culture.