The holiday of the goddess mother between Dong

One of the principal deities of Dong is the called goddess mother or Shasui or Sama. His name would be translated like the "big mother", or the "big ancestress".

There are diverse theories on the origin of the cult to the goddess mother Sama. Some authors think that it is a relic of the times in which the society dong was matriarchal, whose history has been prospering with new sources, especially with the heroine Xingni, who in the Xth century directed Dong in his struggles against the enemies, and who defeated, it jumped over an abyss and disappeared. Others think that the goddess Sama is an only one deification of the heroine, and since the history of this heroine appears in the legends of Dong with numerous details that allow his historical and temporary location, the name of his parents, the village in which they were living, society dong cannot mend his cult to the matriarchal epoch, but a Xth century, when this one lived.

This is possibly the most important deity for Dong, since it is venerated every month two times, the first day and the 15th. Also throughout the year there are three occasions in which it is venerated of special form, on the seventh or the third of the first lunar month, the seventh of the second lunar month and the seventh of the eighth lunar month. These days, one of the most aged persons, it will celebrate a homage to the goddess in his temple. There is times that there is a woman, others a man (sometimes disguised of woman). Meanwhile the people were, in festive ambience it meets in the tower of the drum, or at the edge of the temple. There are narrated to him his poems of the creation and other religious singings. In some areas the young people goes out of the village to do a representation of the battles in which the goddess was directing them. In some areas this is a holiday that only the women celebrate, and it is prohibited to take part to the men.

In every village a temple usually exists in honor of the same one, which the entry to the strangers is not usually allowed.

In the summer epoch, when the agricultural activity is less intense, the biggest festival dedicated to Sama is celebrated. During the same one they sacrifice themselves big quantity of pigs, chickens and ducks in his honor, her incense and tea being offered also. She is elected then an oldster who represents Sama, and all the inhabitants of the village and of the nearby villages that come to the holiday, they drink the Sama tea and a flowers bunch is placed in the hair. The crowd sings and dances in honor of Sama, and generally there are realized competitions as fights of bulls or fights of roosters, in which the winners are got by the oldster who represents Sama.

In the end one finishes with a big banquet in the one that has prepared for himself a long table in which several thousands of persons can go so far as to sit down, during the one that, like exceptional thing, the husbands and the daughters serve to the married women.

In the night a big holiday is celebrated. The young people sings and dances up to the dawn. For many it is the occasion in which they will find to the love of his life.

Until a few years ago the holiday had an important warlike component, practically eliminated at present, so the strongest young people was disguising himself like the Xingni army, with arches and arrows, swords and spears. To the sound of a gunshot, they were going out immediately up to the Sama altar. Every young man offers a tea cup to Sama, they were singing once again his song to him, and the Xingni soldiers were going out to the sound of another shot running of the village.

On having come to an already a little remote place, they were simulating to free a battle, shooting a rifles discharge after other one. This way they spend big part of the day. Before a rice grass turns to the village every young felling with the cannon of his rifle, which the head of an enemy represents. With victory air they return to the village.

On having finished the battle, the moment of the peace comes, with the singings and dances of the peace. They touch the lusheng and dance to his rhythm, on having come to the center of the village, return to the raised area of the tower.

Bibliography:
Guizhou shaoshu minzu jieri daguan (Glimpse to the holidays of the national minorities of Guizhou). Publishing house of the Nationalities of Guizhou. Guiyang. 1991
Zhongguo shaoshu minzu minsu gives cidian (Big dictionary of the folklore of the minorities of China) Publishing house of the People of Interior Mongolia. Hothot. 1995

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