The research of epidemic ghosts and the belief in expelling epidemics in the ancient Chinese Nuo culture ผีห่าและความเชื่อเกี่ยวกับการขับไล่ผีห่าในวัฒนธรรมหนัวโบราณของประเทศจีน

Abstract

This study aims to explore the beliefs about the spirit world and the human world in Nuo culture, reflecting the perspective of the belief in ghosts and spirits that were used to drive away the spread of epidemics, and there is also a belief in Fang Xiangshi, who is believed to be a god who can drive away evil spirits and epidemics in Chinese history and culture. The study found that the ancient ritual beliefs related to exorcism in Chinese Nuo culture were originally based on the belief in expelling plague ghosts and evil spirits. In addition, it is interesting that the belief in "Nuo culture" has been passed down from generation to generation until it has crystallized into a product of religious beliefs and traditions, especially into the product of beliefs related to art, including dance science. For example, body movements and ritual dances, the art of masks etc., these things can prove that beliefs based on ghosts or gods are not always terrible or should be abandoned. Instead, it has been preserved and passed down until it has developed into a national intangible cultural heritage. Recently, Nuo opera and Nuo dance in Nuo culture are known as "living fossils of Chinese drama."