"Large Words" of Ritual: A Study on the Theme and Story Paradigm of the Dongba Narrative Tradition
This article examines the themes and story paradigms of Dongba (东巴) narrative tradition, drawing on Lord and Parry's oral-formulaic theory, particularly Foley's concept of "large words" (large-scale formulaic units such as themes/typical scenes and story patterns). It argues that Dongba narrative themes are closely tied to core religious themes of Dongba religion—nature worship, ancestor worship, and deity worship—which are subsumed under broader cultural macro-themes: "blood transmission" and "reciprocal exchange with nature." These overarching themes permeate the entirety of Dongba culture and have profoundly shaped Naxi historical tradition and national spirit. The study further shows that Dongba story paradigms are constrained by ritual type, exhibiting a layered effect. Together, theme and story paradigm form the narrator's repertoire of "large words," embedded within the ritual narration process, which collectively constitute larger-scale narrative texts performed by Dongba priests during rituals.
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