Research on Dongba Mythology

Author: Bai Gengsheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-02-01
Features: This book is the first academic monograph to systematically study the myths in the Naxi Dongba Canon, a vast collection of ancient texts. The author, with a light and effortless touch and concise, clear language, showcases the rich treasures of Dongba mythology, outlining its overall existence and providing mythological, historical, and cultural interpretations of the origins and formation of its divine system. Additionally, the book conducts comparative studies of myths across different ethnic groups and explores cultural anthropology and philosophical perspectives. Thanks to the author's extensive field research and the incorporation of relevant domestic and international research findings, the work possesses a broad international perspective.
Chapter 1: General Introduction For a long time, the so-called "theory of China's impoverished mythology" has been prevalent internationally. Even concerning the Han ethnic group alone, this theory seems to hold some validity. Due to its early maturity, Han culture gradually distanced itself from mythological modes of thinking and expression at an early stage, continuously advancing toward philosophical and historical directions. It established a human-centered, rule-based society, complete with corresponding institutional systems and ethical orders. As a result, the Han ethnic group came to prioritize human effort over divine intervention.