Divinity and Beauty: Dongba Culture and Its Enlightenment for Contemporary People
This article examines Dongba (Naxi) culture as the core expression of the Naxi people's spiritual civilization, arguing that its essence lies not in outwardly displayed rituals or texts but in a deep, introverted cosmology and worldview embodied by truly "enculturated" Naxi individuals. The author, drawing on fieldwork, contends that appreciating this culture requires shifting from an outsider's ("etic") to an insider's ("emic") perspective, immersing oneself in Naxi daily life, beliefs, and practices. Historically descended from ancient Qiang people, the Naxi underwent centuries of migration from the Yellow River region to the Jinsha River valley, forging a resilient collective identity the author terms "eternity amid wandering." Between the 7th–11th centuries, caught among Tibetan, Tang, and Nanzhao powers, the Naxi absorbed Bon and Buddhist influences while preserving their cultural core, eventually systematizing Dongba religion. The piece frames Dongba culture within East Asian shamanistic/animistic traditions, setting up a discussion of "divinity" (shen/shenxing) and its relevance to contemporary spiritual and cultural challenges.
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