Interaction Between Humans and Gods: How Rain-praying Ceremonies Worked in Guizhou During the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Abstract
Dry disasters happened a lot in Guizhou during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It's because Guizhou has a special natural and geographical environment. So local people created special rain-praying activities. These activities mainly worship the Dragon God. They also include beliefs in wind ghosts, the City God and some historical people. They are very different from the rain-praying ceremonies held by the central government.Many people held the rain-praying ceremonies. They are local officials, Taoist priests and local people who organize the activities by themselves. The steps of the ceremonies follow the rules of the central government, and also keep the local features.The rain-praying in Guizhou during the Ming and Qing Dynasties shows the local wisdom of dealing with disasters in the traditional society.
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