Genital Worship of Naxi Ethnic Minority
Reproductive worship holds a prominent place in the Naxi people’s (纳西族) primitive religious beliefs. This practice places significant emphasis on and reverence for the male and female reproductive organs. The Naxi people believe that pregnancy and childbirth are controlled by supernatural life-and-death deities. As a result, they view natural objects resembling reproductive organs—such as ravines, valleys, hilltops, caves, springs, and stalactites—as representations of these sacred deities. These natural elements are anthropomorphized and worshipped as reproductive gods and their organs.
Symbolism in Naxi Religion
Dongba Religion (东巴教)
Dongba religion contains specific symbols for male and female reproductive organs. This religion uses unique characters to represent the organs, as well as symbols for sexual intercourse. Dongba religion is known for its veneration of gods who are responsible for reproduction and fertility, with several gods linked to the creation and preservation of life.
Locations of Naxi Reproductive Worship
Worship of Female Reproductive Deities
Survey data reveals numerous reproductive worship sites across various Naxi communities. Female reproductive worship is especially common, with several notable sites dedicated to fertility and procreation.
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Bai Di (白地) in Zhongdian (中甸): The Naxi people of Bai Di worship a lava formation that resembles the female reproductive organs. The formation is believed to hold sacred powers linked to fertility and childbirth.
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Rao Ming Village (饶明村) in Daju Township (大具乡), Lijiang (丽江): In this village, the Naxi people view a cave on a nearby mountain as a symbol of the female reproductive organ, associating it with fertility and female power.
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Jinjiang Township (金江乡), Lijiang (丽江): The Naxi people of Jinjiang worship a stalactite inside a cave, which resembles the shape of a woman’s body. This natural formation is treated as a deity representing fertility, and women seeking to conceive perform rituals involving incense and prayer.
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Gebu Mountain (格姆山) in Yongning (永宁): The Naxi of Yongning worship the mountain god of Gebu Mountain, which is closely associated with reproductive powers. The worship of nature as a fertility deity is a vital part of their spiritual practices.
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Lugu Lake (泸沽湖): In the western part of Lugu Lake, the Naxi people venerate a water source believed to have reproductive significance, where rituals are performed by women hoping to conceive.
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Lazi Cave (喇孜岩洞) in Muli County (木里县): The Naxi people of Muli worship a concave stalactite in a cave, which is thought to represent the female reproductive organs, offering blessings to those seeking fertility.
Worship of Male Reproductive Deities
Male reproductive worship also plays an important role in Naxi religious practices, with several sites dedicated to male fertility symbols.
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Dapo Village (达坡村) near Yongning (永宁): The Naxi people view a hill near Dapo Village as a symbol of the male reproductive organ, associated with virility and strength.
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Kawa Village (卡瓦村) in Eya Township (俄亚乡), Muli County (木里县): In this village, a protruding stalactite within a cave is revered as a symbol of male fertility, believed to hold divine power over masculinity and procreation.
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Ge Mu Mountain (格姆山) in Zuo Suo (左所区), Yanyuan County (盐源县): The Naxi worship a stone slab on Ge Mu Mountain as a male reproductive organ, with two round stones nearby considered to symbolize testicles. This site plays an essential role in fertility rituals.
Fertility Rituals and Worship Practices
Rituals at Worship Sites
Both male and female members of the Naxi community, especially infertile women, frequently visit reproductive worship sites to perform rituals. These rituals include lighting incense, bowing, and praying for fertility. Some worshippers engage in more intimate practices, such as removing their clothing to physically connect with the objects of worship. This practice is believed to enhance the chances of conception and receive divine blessings for fertility.
Animal Sacrifice and Religious Ceremonies
In some areas, the Dongba priests are invited to perform rituals and chant sacred texts after the sacrifice of animals. These ceremonies are intended to invoke the gods’ blessings, particularly for women who are seeking to bear children. The rituals can also involve chanting, prayers, and offerings of food and incense to honor the deities.
Bai Shui Tai (白水台) in Shangri-La
The Sacred Site of Bai Shui Tai
In Shangri-La’s Sanba Township (三坝乡), the Bai Shui Tai (白水台) area holds great significance for the Naxi people. The formation here bears a striking resemblance to female genitalia, and the site is considered the most powerful location for praying for children. It is believed that those who visit Bai Shui Tai with a sincere heart will receive divine blessings of fertility. The site sees visitors almost every day, with many couples, especially those struggling with infertility, making pilgrimages to perform rituals and offer prayers for a child.
Reproductive worship in the Naxi culture is deeply intertwined with their beliefs about fertility, creation, and the natural world. Sacred sites dedicated to both male and female reproductive organs are found throughout Naxi communities, and they remain important centers for religious rituals and practices. These customs reflect a profound respect for nature’s life-giving powers and the Naxi people’s spiritual connection to their surroundings.
