A Dongba shaman conducting a ritual.

The term Dongba literally refers to the religious priests, the culture, and the script of the people, which exerts a great influence upon the lives of the Nakhi people, who are found in southwestern China. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (442x700, 200 KB)A Dongba Shaman conducting a ritual. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (442x700, 200 KB)A Dongba Shaman conducting a ritual. ... Roman Catholic priest A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ... Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning to cultivate), generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. ... Writing systems of the world today. ... Categories: Ethnic groups of China ...

Religion

The Dongba, also known as wise men, are believed to be the priests of the Bön religion. They play a major role in the Nakhi culture, and preach harmony between man and nature. Their costumes show strong Tibetan influence, and pictures of Bön gods can be seen on their headgear. Tibetan prayer flags and Taoist offerings can be seen in their rituals. Bön has typically been described as the shamanistic religion in Tibet before the arrival of Buddhism in the 7th century C.E. With the recent exile of many Bönpo lamas to India, however, a more complex description of Bön is emerging and is now being considered by... Categories: Ethnic groups of China ... Bön has typically been described as the shamanistic religion in Tibet before the arrival of Buddhism in the 7th century C.E. With the recent exile of many Bönpo lamas to India, however, a more complex description of Bön is emerging and is now being considered by...

Religious rituals are also conducted by the priests to propitiate the spirits, as they were believed to be living in every part of the natural world.

This can be evidenced from the fact that the core of the Dongba religion is the based on the belief that both man and nature are two half-brothers born of two mothers and the same father. This creates revenge from heaven, which befalls upon humans who use up too much natural resources.

Prior to Bön influence, it is suggested that the original priests were the female Llü-bu. At that time, statues of religious idols could be widely seen everywhere. Bön has typically been described as the shamanistic religion in Tibet before the arrival of Buddhism in the 7th century C.E. With the recent exile of many Bönpo lamas to India, however, a more complex description of Bön is emerging and is now being considered by...

See also

• Dongba script

The Dongba are the shamans or priests of the Naxi people of southwestern China. ...

External links

• Gallery of Dongba
• Dongba culture related art