Tom tat luan an tieng anh thầy cúng trong cộng Đồng người dao Đỏ Ở tuyên quang

Based on each stage in their life history and historical and social conditions, they hold a certain social status and take on various social roles within the community.. For the above-me

SPORT AND TOURISM AND TRAINING

HANOI UNIVERSITY OF CULTURE

TRIEU THI NHAT

SHAMANS IN THE RED DAO COMMUNITY

Hanoi University of Culture, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Supervisor: Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Thi Viet Huong

Reviewer 1: Prof Dr Tu Thi Loan

Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts

Reviewer 2: Assoc Prof Dr Vu Thi Phuong Hau

Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

Reviewer 3: Assoc Prof Dr Tran Hong Hanh

Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology

The dissertation will be defended at University Level Council of dissertation assessment at Hanoi University of Culture, 418 La Thanh,

Dong Da, Hanoi

Time: ………… date ……… month …… …year 2024

The dissertation can be found at:

- Vietnam National Library;

- Library of Hanoi University of Culture

INTRODUCTION

1 Rationale

Tuyen Quang is a land rich in cultural traditions and revolutionary history, including 22 ethnic groups living together, thereby creating diversity and vibrancy of local cultural heritage In terms of population, the Dao ethnic group in Tuyen Quang ranks third after the Kinh and the Tay The Red Dao are one of the 9 local groups of the Dao in Tuyen Quang, mainly residing in the three districts of Na Hang, Lam Binh and Chiem Hoa After the resettlement project for construction of Tuyen Quang Hydropower Plant Project (2002), a part of the Red Dao in Na Hang migrated and resettled in Yen Son and Ham Yen districts

In the ethnic minority communities in general and the Red Dao in particular, shaman is the cultural figure that plays an important role in shaping, creating, and transmission of cultural heritage values of the country Based on each stage in their life history and historical and social conditions, they hold a certain social status and take on various social roles within the community They are both spiritual practitioners, ancestral worshipers of their clans, as well as hamlet founders, or government officials at all levels Therefore, they have made significant contributions to the development and stability of community life, especially in the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values of the Red Dao For this reason, it is necessary to study about shamans from the perspective of their status and social role through historical and social contexts and identify their influence for enhancing their status and role in life stabilization, preservation and promotion of cultural traditions of the Red Dao today

Studies on shamans in general and specifically on the Dao shamans have been extensively conducted Most of these studies focus

on the Tay, Nung, and Dao Ho people, while there has been no study on the shamans of the Red Dao

For the above-mentioned reasons, the research student has decided

to choose the topic: Shamans in the Red Dao community in Tuyen Quang as the subject of her doctoral thesis in Cultural Studies

2 Research objectives and tasks

* Research objectives: The thesis is aimed to utilize the theory of

status and social roles to clarify the status and social role of shamans within the Red Dao community in Tuyen Quang Accordingly, the research reveals the influences of status and social roles on the role of shamans in order to orient the enhancement of their roles through status and social roles in the development and stabilization of the lives of the Red Dao in general, and preserve and promote traditional cultural values of the Red Dao people in Tuyen Quang

* Research tasks:

Firstly, provide an overview of the research situation regarding the Red Dao and Red Dao shamans; clarify the concepts of shamans, social status, and social roles, as well as give a general description of the Red Dao in Tuyen Quang

Secondly, present and analyze the life stories of shamans: the journey to become a shaman, the process of achieving status, forming social roles, their lives, and their influence through each specific case

Thirdly, describe and analyze the status and social roles; the movements and changes of social roles; and the relationship between the status and social roles of shamans

Fourthly, the thesis presents issues which should be discussed about shamans in the lives of the Red Dao It aims to identify and promote the role of shamans by enhancing their status and the positive influence of their social roles in the development and stabilization of the lives of the Red Dao in general, preserving and promoting traditional cultural values of the Red Dao people in Tuyen Quang."

3 Research questions and hypotheses

3.1 Research questions

The thesis addresses the following questions:

What is the status and social role of shamans in the Red Dao community?

How do the status and social roles of shamans interact and influence each other through various politics - economic - cultural - social?

Can the promotion of the role of shamans be achieved through the adjustment of their status and social roles? How does this affect the economic, cultural, and social life of the Red Dao?

3.2 Research hypotheses:

Shamans hold a certain status within the community and accordingly assume one or more social roles These roles can lead to role conflicts, reflecting the interactive relationships of shamans in the community when they simultaneously perform multiple social roles Status and social roles have impacts and influences on each other This highlamps the impacts of status and social roles on the role of shamans, thereby affecting the lives economic - cultural - social of the community."

4 Research subject and scope

5 Research approaches and methods

5.1 Approaches

The thesis applies the main approach of cultural studies, considering shamans as a cultural subject who creates, practices, and transmits culture; perspectives and evaluations of shamans must be given within cultural environment of the ethnic group and an interdisciplinary approach (including ethnology/anthropology, sociology, and religious studies)

5.2 Methods

The main research methods applied in this thesis are the life

history and ethnographic fieldwork Particularly, the life history

research method is conducted in the form of in-depth interviews with individuals or communities, recalling on their lives or specific periods

of their lives at present or their future aspirations The thesis selects seven in-depth interviews on life history, including seven shamans: Mr Trieu Tai M, age: 80; Mr Ly Van T, age: 49; Mr Phung Thua V (age: 54); Mr Dang Y T (age: 84); Mr Ban Kim S (age: 87); Mr Ban Tien H (age: 63); and Mr Chuc Ta K (age: 71), along with other shamans and members from within and outside the Red Dao community with whom the shamans have interactions In addition to in-depth interviews, the research student also utilizes the methods of observation, participation, events, lives, and activities of the shamans Furthermore, the thesis utilizes other research methods: synthesis and analysis of secondary data, statistical methods, and comparison of status and social roles

across different periods and geographical areas."

6 New contributions of the thesis

6.1 Scientific contributions

This is the first thesis to investigate the status and social roles of shamans among the Red Dao in Tuyen Quang, thereby contributing arguments and analyses to identify the conflicts of social roles and the relationships between status and social roles Accordingly, it contributes to

the study of the influence and promotion of the role of shamans in daily life,

as well as the preservation and promotion of the cultural values of the Red Dao in the current period

6.2 Regarding practical aspects:

Providing a data system on cultural and media shamans of the Red Dao people in Tuyen Quang, as a basis for researchers, managers and the Red Dao community in building mechanisms, policies and plans Plans, projects, and projects to develop teacher classes, maintain traditional and stable cultural values and socio-economic development of the Red Dao people, especially developing local community tourism

Chapter 3: The status and social roles of shamans within the Red Dao community in Tuyen Quang

Chapter 1

"OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH SITUATION, THEORETICAL BASES, OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH AREA AND THE RED

DAO IN TUYEN QUANG."

1.1 Overview of research situation

1.1.1 "Research works on the Dao in Vietnam and shamans by foreign authors."

Research works on the Dao in Vietnam and shamans by foreign authors primarily consist of records by French scholars published in journals such as the Indochinese Ethnology Review, Indochina Journal, and the Bulletin of

the French School of the Far East (BEFEO), including works by linguist A

Bonifacy, as well as several studies by authors Ngoc Thoi Giai, Truong Huu Tuan, and Jacques Lemoine presented at the international seminar on the

Dao, held in Thai Nguyen City in December 1995 Notably, two research

works on shamans by authors Le Cong Chi and Linda S McIntosh contribute

ideas and foundations for the research student’s reference during the study of Dao shamans in Vietnam These research findings provide an important database that helps the research student understand the cultural significance and position of the Dao in the cultural picture of ethnic groups in Vietnam, as well as their historical origins, cultural characteristics, and cultural changes after migrating to Vietnam."

1.1.2 Research works on the Red Dao and Dao religion and beliefs by Vietnamese authors

1.1.2.1 Research works on the Red Dao

Research on the Dao people in Vietnam in general has many research works from issues of ethnic historical origin, cultural characteristics to areas in the social life of the Dao people in Vietnam In recent years, the research works on the Dao have tended to focus on specific research groups and issues of each Dao subgroup, thereby clarifying the diversity and richness in the cultural picture of the Dao in Vietnam Research works on the Red Dao people are presented in a

number of books and articles by authors such as: Phan Thi Phuong, Vi

Van An, Nguyen Anh Cuong, However, the research on the Red Dao is

still very limited There have been no in-depth and systematic researches that clarify the cultural characteristics or local characteristics of the Red Dao group These reasons are a basis for the research student to choose the Red Dao group in Tuyen Quang Province as her research subject

1.1.2.2 Research works on religious beliefs and religious rituals

of the Dao in Vietnam

The religious beliefs and rituals of the Dao in Vietnam have been extensively discussed by various authors in numerous research works,

including specialized books, dissertations, conference papers, and journal articles, presenting a diverse range of content Notable scholars are Phan Ngoc Khue, Vuong Duy Quang, Pham Van Duong, Ban Tuan Nang, Ly Hanh Son, Tran Huu Son, Chu Quang Cuong, Tan Kim Phu, etc However, there is a shortage of research specifically addressing the religious beliefs and rituals of the Red Dao in Vietnam, mainly concentrated in a few articles published in specialized journals and conferences by authors such

as Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, Bui Duy Chien, Ly Hanh Son, and Tran Huu Son Shamans are described as practitioners of rituals, with little focus on understanding their role as key figures in maintenance of these rituals and the cultural traditions of the Red Dao Especially, there has been no comprehensive study on the religious beliefs, rituals, and shamans of the Red Dao in Vietnam."

1.1.2.3 Research on the Dao in Tuyen Quang

The Dao in Tuyen Quang have also attracted the interest of researchers, as reflected in various topics, theses, and articles in social

science journals Some notable works by authors are: Ethnic Minorities

in Tuyen Quang by Ha Van Vien and Ha Van Phung, The Tay, Dao, and San Diu ethnic groups in Tuyen Quang edited by Ninh Van Do, Intangible Culture of Ethnic Groups in the Tuyen Quang Hydroelectric Reservoir Area by the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, and Livelihood Transformation and Cultural Adaptation of the Dao Community in the Tuyen Quang Hydroelectric Reservoir Area in the Resettlement Area

edited by Tran Van Binh and many articles published in journals of Ethnology, Culture and Arts, and Folklore, exploring the culture and folk knowledge of the Red Dao in Chiem Hoa, Yen Son, and Na Hang,

by authors such as Nguyen Truong Giang, Le Hai Dang, and Do Thi Kieu Nga, etc Generally, research works on the Dao in Tuyen Quang remains limited in terms of quantity and quality, with no in-depth works

or monographs on the cultural identity of the Red Dao

1.1.2.4 Research on shamanic practitioners, Dao shamans, Red Dao shamans

Regarding shamanic practitioners, Dao shamans, and Red Dao shamans, there have been many researches on shamans and their roles However, they mainly focus on the subjects of research being Vietnamese mediums, Tay shamans, and some other ethnic groups to clarify their nature and roles in rituals and spiritual life of the community There have been a few systematic and detailed research works on Dao shamans in terms of their clothes, nature, the process

of becoming a shaman, spiritual world, and the lives of shamans, etc However, these works mainly focus on the Dao Họ and Dao Tuyen groups in Lao Cai province by authors such as Pham Van Duong and Tran Huu Son These become an important data source for the author

to inherit and promote in research and understanding of shamans within the Red Dao community in Tuyen Quang."

1.2 Theoretical bases

1.2.1 Concepts related to the thesis issues of the thesis

1.2.1.1 The concept of the shaman

The term “shaman” refers to spiritual practitioners who are capable of performing various tasks related to spiritual life, such as fortune-telling, conducting magic, charms, and g rituals Various ethnic groups have their own terms to refer to and classify various types of shamans, according to their religious beliefs, spiritual practices, and cultural identities

1.2.1.2 Social status, social role

The social status of an individual is placed within the context of social interactions with others and their relationship to society as a whole A social role is a set of norms, behaviors, rights, and obligations associated with a particular social status Corresponding to that status, there will be various social roles, referred to as a role set Social roles are in continuous motion and changes across different societies, and conflicts or tensions may arise when an individual

simultaneously performs multiple social roles from a certain social status Individuals’ priority to the fulfillment of social roles according

to societal expectations will help us discover the hierarchical structure

of society or the social values concerned by the society

1.2.2 Theoretical basis for thesis research

1.2.2.1 Research theory

The research theory used to approach the research issues of the thesis

is the role-set theory developed by American sociologist Robert K Merton

According to Merton's theoretical perspective, each individual’s social status requires not just one role but a series of roles known as a role- set in interaction with others A role-set is a set of roles associated with a

specific social status, rather than multiple roles linked to various statuses Therefore, it is essential to distinguish between a role-set and diverse roles since diverse roles refer to a series of roles from different social statuses

1.2.2.2 The viewpoints of the Party and State on promoting the role of reputable individuals in vietnam's ethnic minority communities

Reputable individuals among ethnic minority communities are

considered by the Party and State as a special public force with a significant position and role, effectively contributing to helping advisory and assisting bodies of the Party and State successfully implement their assigned functions and tasks Simultaneously, through them, the Party and State can grasp the thoughts, feelings, and aspirations of the people

1.2.2.3 Research framework of the thesis

Based on the above viewpoints, the thesis proposes an approach to the

research approach in the case: The shaman is a person with an important

position in the Red Dao community Corresponding to his social position, the shaman takes on one or more different social roles (set of roles) and there may be conflicts and contradictions in the process of performing social roles

in interaction with the community and society as a whole Changes in their current status, and the ability to create new statuses along with

corresponding new social roles, and settlement of conflicts among these roles provide shamans with various roles Recognition and effective promotion of the roles of shamans through adjusting their status and social roles will contribute to stabilization of social order, promotion of socio-economic development, and preservation and enhancement of the traditional cultural values of the Red Dao today

Figure 1.2 Research framework of the Thesis

1.3.1 Overview of research areas

1.3.2 Overview of the Red Dao in Tuyen Quang

1.3.2.1 Origin and history of the ethnic group

1.3.2.2 Residential area

1.3.2.3 Worldview and philosophy of life

They have opinion that the world consists of three layers (heaven, earth, underground and underwater) and two worlds (the positive world– the world where humans and all living things reside, and the negative world – the world where ghosts reside including gods, ancestors, demons, etc.) They believe that all things and humans possess soul and body

1.3.2.4 Folk beliefs and the system of rituals in folk beliefs

Based on their worldview and philosophy of life, the Red Dao follow polytheism and attach great importance on ancestor worship They have a diverse and rich system of rituals across all aspects of life, including rituals related to ancestor worship, illness, housing, agriculture, forests, water, and life cycle, especially, the Cap Sac Ritual and the Funeral Ritual as two of the major rituals that express a unique cultural identity of the Dao

Sub-conclusion

Like other ethnic minorities in Vietnam, the Dao have a long history of residence and a rich cultural identity The Dao community in general, and local groups in particular, have long been the subject of research many researchers in domestic and international scope However, there have been no systematic and detailed researches on the Red Dao in Vietnam, particularly in Tuyen Quang Specifically, there has been no research conducted on Red Dao shaman

Like other Dao groups, they originate from southern provinces in China and migrated to Vietnam through various routes, settling in different areas within the province Their process of living and residence here has created unique cultural values, such as housing, clothing, customs, and rituals Currently, these cultural values,