The inheritance and protection of Manchu Shamanism is urgently needed

Paektu Mountains is one of the mother regions of the origin of Shamanism in the world. Manchuria has relatively intact and rich shamanic relics preserved in the world, and is a living fossil for the study of Shamanism in the world. At present, Shamanism is on the brink of extinction, and the issue of how to rescue, protect, and inherit it is urgent. The best way to better preserve and inherit the essence of these Shamanic cultures, and showcase them to the world, is to establish Shaman Hall around the world, promote and vigorously develop Manchu Shamanic cultures, and strive to be listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the United Nations.

The Content of Manchu Shamanism Exhibition

The content of Manchu shaman culture can be highly feature-rich, which is a priceless cultural heritage left by our ancestors. If it is saved and passed down, and displayed through the form of Shaman Hall, it is very necessary for people to understand how human society has developed from enlightenment to glory. There are various types of Intangible Cultural Heritage such as Manchu folk customs, which have distinct ethnic characteristics and a broad mass base.

One is the display of dynamic Shamanic culture. The content of the cultural relics of Manchu Shamanism is very abundant, especially the dynamic Shamanistic relics are extremely precious. The Shamanic religious rituals and many unique skills performed by these Shamans, including "prayer, worship, spiritual communication, opening the third eye, meditation, running fire, releasing the Tai position, and striking the Five Paths", not only demonstrate the traditional folk culture of the Manchu ancestors' reverence for nature, worship of nature, belief in nature, and harmony with nature, but also reflect the modern people's desire for freedom, pursuit of peace, and respect for the Creator.

Manchurian Mang style dance and Yanglie dance; the Korean Long drum dance, clapping dance, and sword dance; Mongolian Andai dance and bowl dance; the Oroqen black bear fighting dance, red fruit picking dance and dragon head dance; the Hezhe Manchu dance and swan dance; the Daur Rurigele dance; the Ewenki wild boar fighting dance and Orichi dance, etc., these are the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Shamanism preserved by various ethnic groups in Northeast Asia. By combining these traditional ethnic songs and dances performances with Shaman worship performances, a cultural feast with strong Manchu characteristics and profound ethnic heritage can be formed, which can fully form a high-level and internationally influential large-scale program.

The second is the display of static Shamanic culture. Static Shamanic culture is an important component of Shamanism, with extremely rich content. It is a precious wealth passed down from generation to generation of Shamanic culture, mainly based on the sacrificial culture of Shamanism, and derived from many cultural treasures in people's production and life. Including sacrificial culture, totem culture, Shamanic language symbols, Shamanic astronomy, geography, philosophy, theology, art, medicine, and many other treasures.

In Shamanic sacrificial culture, theology is the symbolic system of Shamanic cultural ideas and concepts. Shamanism is inclusive and does not exclude any other religion in the world. You can be a devout Christian or Buddhist, but it does not conflict with Shamanism and is not heretical. Shamanic philosophy believes in the conversion of all laws and the existence of spirits in all things. Whether it is science or theology, it is a form that the Creator has given humanity to learn and explore the universe and life.

Shamanism in different regions has different totemic worship. There are various forms such as animal shaped, bird shaped, insect shaped, humanoid, half human half animal shaped, humanoid, divine shaped, and intangible, which can be made or drawn from materials such as plants, stones, bones, fabrics, etc. In the cultural concept of Shamanism, the priest of Shaman have the learning ability to see through the slightest details, eliminate diseases and evil spirits, and predict and prevent disasters, and are leaders who protect their people. Totems are inherited from generation to generation and are usually placed respectfully in shrines or bags. They are only brought out during ceremonies.

Sacrificial artifacts. Shamanism in different regions has different artifacts, such as drums, bronze mirrors, swords, arrows, bells, clappers, spears, staffs, as well as divination tools such as animal teeth, animal bones, plants, metals and stones. These artifacts are all made by Mudangs (Junior Shamans) at specific times, in specific environments, and using specific materials. They are considered by people of all ethnic groups to have certain divine powers and are indispensable in ritual rituals.

The third is to develop Shamanic cultural tourist attractions in Manchukuo, but currently the construction work in this area is basically blank. How to develop tourism around the folk culture of Manchuria and Shamanism is an urgent task. The folk culture of Manchu State and Shamanism contains extremely abundant content, profound cultural heritage, distinct ethnic characteristics, and very promising development prospects. For example, the Shaman totem pole series, Shaman cultural artifact series, Shaman statue series, Shaman drum series, mahu mask series, Manchu facial mask series, and products with Shaman cultural marks that can be developed around Shamanism; Around the Manchu culture, there are Manchu embroidery and paper cuttings crafts, cloth and birch crafts, root carving and bark crafts, willow weaving and utensils crafts, wood carving and fish skin crafts, hand drums and puppet crafts, gold and silver wares, metal, weaving, cloth crafts, etc., which can be developed. There is huge room for future development.

The Social Significance and Economic Value of Combining Shaman Culture with Tourism

Shaman culture is one of the earliest forms of human culture, which has played a very important role in promoting the development of human history, the continuous progress of human society, and the evolution of human beings towards civilization. However, at the end of the 16th century, due to the eastward expansion of Tsarist Russia and the impact of Eastern Orthodoxy, Shamanism had gradually declined through widespread attacks and defamation. The truth of Manchurian culture is now little known in Chinese society. And the research achievements of experts and scholars in Manchukuo have never had the opportunity to be presented to the world. The spiritual essence of Shaman culture is the idea of unity between humankind and nature, protection of nature, and harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. This concept is even more important in the development of our social civilization today, and the ancient people's awareness of protecting nature still has practical significance.

The future of Manchukuo is closely related to the fate of Shamanic cultures. Nowadays, the emphasis on the culture of Manchu Shamanism is still a long haul, and lack of opportunity for Shamanism that can have a significant impact on the world. And the Shamanic culture of Manchukuo should actually be very influential in the world, after all, it is the origin of the world's Shamanic culture (the Inca civilization in South America, the Indian Shamanism in North America, Shintoism in Japan, and other Shamanistic religions all originated in Manchuria), like an undeveloped treasure buried underground. If Manchu State could fully utilize and showcase shamanic culture, its value would be immeasurable.

The combination of Shamanic culture and Shaman Halls is the best way to protect and inherit them

The protection and inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage are imminent. Shaman culture, as an ancient human origin culture, has been passed down from generation to generation by our ancestors, leaving us with a valuable cultural heritage. How to ensure its continued inheritance has become an important issue we are currently facing. If shamanic culture can be developed into a tourism industry, Shaman Halls can be established around the world, attracting the attention and protection from the United Nations, and arousing the "Shaman craze". Then people engaged in Shamanism will be able to use their talents, which is the best way to protect and inherit it. Shaman culture is currently on the brink of extinction. Manchu State attaches great importance to it and actively protects it, but it is still a drop in the bucket. Most Shaman's priests are old and facing the unfavorable situation of no successor and a generational gap. If we do not seize the opportunity to carry out rescue inheritance and development works urgently, they will gradually phase out in a few years. Due to the lack of economic benefits, young people lack the enthusiasm to engage in Shamanistic activities. In the face of this issue, if we can establish Shamanism halls around the world, vigorously promote and preach, combine shamanic culture with local indigenous tourism, and form an industry to promote it, it will certainly stimulate the enthusiasm of many people to engage in Shamanism, so that the Shamanic culture of Manchuria can be naturally protected and inherited.