Mongol sacrificial rites held in Arxan

By Zhao Xiao (chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2017-02-24

Local people encircle Aobao to pray for blessings in the Greater Hinggan Mountains of Arxan, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Feb 23. [Photo/people.cn]

Chanting sutras, Mongolian herdsmen gathered around a cone-shaped mound called Aobao to sacrifice livestock and libation, praying to the spirits for peace and a bountiful harvest in Arxan on Feb 23.

Located in the Greater Hinggan Mountains, the 88-meter-high Aobao is crowned as the highest altitude mound in Inner Mongolia. Bottles of holy water, scripture paper, and wishing letters rest at the foot of the mound, while colorful cloth ribbons hang above it. Originally a landmark for herdsmen to navigate the grasslands, Aobao is usually piled with stones, sand and branches.

After the time of Genghis Khan, Aobao served as a sacred tomb honoring warriors who died in war, the swords or axes of martyrs inserted in the mound’s peak.

Gradually Aobao has become a place for scared sacrificial rites where locals pray to the mountain or land spirits, as well as their ancestors.

People now sacrifice corn, meat, fruit and alcohol at Aobao and pray for good weather, good harvests and good fortunes. These rites can be of a small scale or a grand ceremony.

Every summer, local herdsmen invite Buddhist lamas to chant scriptures around Aobao, and people encircle the mound to make wishes for future blessings. Some also dress in unique Mongolian-style costumes holding hada, pieces of silk cloth imbedded with separate auspicious meanings according their colors.

Aobao is located in snow-covered Arxan. [Photo/people.cn]

Aobao is decorated with colorful ribbons. [Photo/people.cn]

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