The White Tiger-Totem of Tujia People

Culture 2012/08/15 View：3117

When talking about Tujia culture, there is one thing that worth mentioning is their culture of white tiger, which is considered as the essence of Tujia culture.

White tiger plays a significant role in the eyes of Tujia people. And Tujia people usually call themselves descendant of white tiger.

According to legend, in the ancient time, Tujia people’s ancestor Ba Wuxiang was entitled as the chief of a five surnames tribe, called Linjun. He led all of the tribe members go along the river by earth ship. When arriving in Yanyang, they killed the cruel brine female and settled down there. From then on, people lived and worked in peace, thus Linjun was deeply respected by all the people. Later, Linjun’s soul changed to a white tiger and went up to heaven after his death. Hence, Tujia people see white tiger as their deity, piously worshiped him always and everywhere.

Apart from religious memorial ceremony, the sign of white tiger can be found almost everywhere in Tujia people’s life.

Translated by Becky

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