Communications in Humanities Research

- The Open Access Proceedings Series for Conferences


Communications in Humanities Research

Vol. 24, 03 January 2024


Open Access | Article

Cultural Metaphor in Oboo Worship: A Religious Anthropological Study Based on Mongolian Nationality

Mengen Zhang * 1
1 Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Communications in Humanities Research, Vol. 24, 122-126
Published 03 January 2024. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by EWA Publishing
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Citation Mengen Zhang. Cultural Metaphor in Oboo Worship: A Religious Anthropological Study Based on Mongolian Nationality. CHR (2024) Vol. 24: 122-126. DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/24/20231587.

Abstract

This paper explores the cultural and spiritual significance of Mongolian Oboo sacrifices from an anthropological perspective. Oboo, traditional cairns or shrines assembled from stones and wooden materials, often located on hilltops or mountain peaks, serve as media of spiritual communication and ceremonial offerings. The practices reinforce communal bonds and tradition continuance and carry several symbolic meanings related to both natural and spiritual realms. The study explores the form and content of Oboo sacrifices, demonstrating how they embody Mongolians' religious ideologies and symbolize the interconnection between humans and the natural world. Furthermore, the paper studies how the rituals form collective memory and a sense of group identity for Mongolians. Through this investigation, the research illuminates the enduring resilience and sophistication of Mongolian traditional customs, underscoring their cultural significance.

Keywords

Oboo Sacrifice, Mongolian Nationality, Cultural Metaphor

References

1. Davaa-Ochir, G. (2008). Oboo worship: the worship of earth and water divinities in Mongolia (Master's thesis).

2. Dumont, A. (2017). Oboo Sacred Monuments in Hulun Buir: Their Narratives and Contemporary Worship. Cross-Currents: East Asian History and Culture Review, 24, 200-214.

3. Heissig, W. (1980). The religions of Mongolia. Univ of California Press.

4. Chuluu, Ü., Wu, C., & Stuart, K. (1995). Rethinking the Mongol oboo. Anthropos, 544-554.

5. Sneath, D. (2014). Nationalizing civilizational resources: sacred mountains and cosmopolitical ritual in Mongolia. Asian ethnicity, 15(4), 458-472.

6. Humphrey, C., & Onon, U. (1996). Shamans and elders: Experience, knowledge, and power among the Daur Mongols. Clarendon Press.

7. Atwood, C. P. (1996). Buddhism and popular ritual in Mongolian religion: a reexamination of the fire cult. History of Religions, 36(2), 112-139.

8. Atwood, C. P. (2004). Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire.

9. Banzarov, D., Nattier, J., & Krueger, J. R. (1981). The Black faith, or Shamanism, among the Mongols. Mongolian Studies, 53-91.

10. Dumont, A. (2021). Turning Indigenous sacred sites into intangible heritage: Authority figures and ritual appropriation in inner Mongolia. China Perspectives, (2021/3), 19-28.

Data Availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies
ISBN (Print)
978-1-83558-251-0
ISBN (Online)
978-1-83558-252-7
Published Date
03 January 2024
Series
Communications in Humanities Research
ISSN (Print)
2753-7064
ISSN (Online)
2753-7072
DOI
10.54254/2753-7064/24/20231587
Copyright
03 January 2024
Open Access
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Copyright © 2023 EWA Publishing. Unless Otherwise Stated