Book

The Monguors of the Kansu-Tibetan frontier: Part II. their religious life

American Philosophical Society • 47 (1) • Published In 1957 • Pages: 164

By: Schram, Louis.

Abstract

This monograph is the second of three projected parts of the study of Monguors of the Kansu-Tibetan Frontier. Father Schram presents the religious life of the Monguor in both historical and a structural-functional frame work. The study covers: (1) the history of the introduction, growth, flourishing and crisis of Lamaism, and the role of Chinese emperors in the diffusion of Lamaism in Huang-chung, (2) the organization of Lamaseries, their role in the community, together with the study of shamanism and the various rites of Monguor religion cults, such as the cult of heaven and the cult of the dead. The influence of the Monguor Lama upon Lamaism and the life of Mongour community, and the social function of religion in Mongour life are discussed at the end of the study. This source is based on local chronicles, the Chinese histories and 'all available sources' as well as the experiences of Father Schram among the people between 1911 and 1922. The great variety of sects and cults, intensive borrowing between these sects and cults, and the complexity of the relationship between religious and nonreligious rites made it difficult for the author to present a clear description of the pattern of religious life. However, the subject has been extensively studied with remarkable objectivity.

HRAF PubDate

2005

Region

Asia

Sub Region

East Asia

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Missionary

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Hesung Chun Koh ; 1961

Field Date

1911-1922

Coverage Date

1723-1948

Coverage Place

Xining Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China

Notes

[by] Louis M.J. Schram

Historical records compiled in the Ming and Qing Dynasties go back to the Mongol period. Most of Schram's discussion takes place in two time periods: i) the Ming and Qing Dynasties up to the Mongol Revolt of 1723 and ii) the period after the Revolt to the present (1948). Schram's discussion on Shamanism in the last half of the book is based on his 10-year period of ethnographic research.

Includes bibliographical references

LCCN

54006120

LCSH

Mongour (Chinese people)