Sacrifice Ceremony 蚩尤祭祀典禮

李春蓉

At about 9 a.m.， drums burst and flags flew. I participated in this sacrifice in ChiyouJiuliCity （蚩尤九黎城） .

The respected Miao elders （苗族長老） sang sacrifice songs to Chiyou. He reported to Chiyou the country is prosperous and the people live in peace. The young people of Miao nationality offered three animals to Chiyou and worshipped with incense. Pengshui Folk Chiyou Sacrifice Ceremony officially began in the square outside the Chiyou hall. The flag bearers （旗手） took neat steps， side by side， row by row， united as one， and bravely moved for- ward. Thousands of people dressed in traditional Miao costumes lined up in front of Chiyou hall to worship. At the ceremony， the links of “ceremony open- ing， ceremony speeches， respectfully opening the holy door， presenting flower baskets， offering high incense， praying for blessings at the grand event （ 盛事祈福） ， respectfully reading the text of praising the ancestors （恭讀頌祖文） ， paying homage to the ancestors and reuniting with HeGu （合鼓大團(tuán)圓）” were displayed in turn.

The whole ceremony was solemn， orderly and unique， which expressed Miao people's memory of their ancestors.