Spirits Offering Protection: The Cult of General Đoàn Thượng in Vietnam in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic
This article discusses the changes that have occurred in the ceremonies of the spirit cult in the rural communes of Vietnam during the Covid-19 pandemic. A case study of General Đoàn Thượng’s (1181-1228) cult is presented. I propose a comparison of ceremonies, namely 1) a commemoration in a temple t...
Tallennettuna:
| Julkaisussa: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/moussons, |
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| Päätekijä: | |
| Aineistotyyppi: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Kieli: | Anglais |
| Julkaistu: |
Moussons
2022
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| Aiheet: | |
| Linkit: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Yhteenveto: | This article discusses the changes that have occurred in the ceremonies of the spirit cult in the rural communes of Vietnam during the Covid-19 pandemic. A case study of General Đoàn Thượng’s (1181-1228) cult is presented. I propose a comparison of ceremonies, namely 1) a commemoration in a temple that took place on 1 May 2018 based on my field materials, and 2) a closed ceremony in the same temple on 8 April 2020 and on 27 April 2021 (being broadcast on Facebook). On the one hand, quarantine measures reduce the degree of integration of the rural commune and eliminates such an important religious practice as pilgrimage. On the other hand, restrictive measures brought the ceremony closer to its traditional appearance: ordinary commune members, tourists were excluded from participation in the rituals, while the Đoàn clan’s members fulfilled the role of the clan representatives in communicating with spirits, which is prescribed by tradition. |
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