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Zhuang Ancestor Worship

The Zhuang people believe that the souls of the dead enter a netherworld and continue to assist the living. Corpses are wrapped in white cloth and buried after three days, together with some of their favourite items of daily use. The corpse is disinterred after three years and the bones are cleaned and placed in a pottery urn that is deposited in a cave or grotto. Those who died violent or untimely deaths are potentially evil spirits. These bones are burned and a Taoist priest is called to perform over the ashes.

Female divination specialists treat sickness and are believed to be able to communicate with spirits and ghosts while in trances. Male shamans are skilled at reading the Zhuang written language and serve at an altar. They use various texts to perform songs and chants, about myths, history, geography, astronomy, and tales. They perform at funerals, local festivals, and at times of crisis. Oxen, chickens, and other livestock are sacrificed to pay for their service.

Buddhism in Zhuang areas has been strongly influenced by Taoism and earlier traditional religion. Taoist priests, who are also part-time practitioners, perform at many of the same events as the shaman. They chant in Chinese and use Han texts. They are called upon mainly for exorcising demons, healing the sick, foretelling the future and conducting rituals at major events.

Stories of these religious practises can seem bizarre to westerners. The Zhuang however, are not surprised by supernatural occurrences. Nearly all of them have had encounters with evil spirits or Taoist priests.

“We didn’t know why, but the Taoist priest had us sharpen five machete blades. Then she tied them on the rungs of a ladder with the blades pointing up and told our family that if we wanted the spirit of my dead brother to be released from hell, we must all walk up the five rungs! We were petrified with fear. We knew the blades were razor sharp, for we had sharpened them ourselves, but we didn’t want our brother’s spirit to harass us and bring us trouble the rest of our lives. After the Taoist priest prayed a special prayer, somehow we were all able to walk up the ladder without cutting our feet! It was amazing!”

The good news to the Zhuang, though, is that the Most High God, who created all things, is more powerful than evil spirits. He loves these people so much and has promised to protect them from these spirits. This truth brings tremendous comfort and joy to the Zhuang and has caused many to decide to follow Jesus.

“One day my friend and I were on our way to visit a believer. We noticed that an elderly lady was following us. As we entered a home this woman pointed to her legs and back and I guess that she was in pain. It was difficult to communicate with her as she was deaf and dumb moreover she only knew the Zhuang dialect. We said to her, ‘Father loves you’. I didn’t know what to do except to ask Father to meet her needs. After we finished praying she suddenly pulled out the amulets that were around her neck. She ran out of the house and threw them away. She came back in with a big smile on her face looked to the sky and uttered ‘fax’ which means father. Everyone was in awe at what they had witnessed. What a miracle!”

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” 2 Corinthians 4:4

Prayer Points: Pray that the Good News of God’s power and love would be boldly proclaimed to every Zhuang. Pray also that those blinded by the “god of this age” will have their eyes opened so that they can recognize that Jesus is more powerful than all other power.

- An East Asian Field Worker