Xumi Survey

This video is focused on the traditional ancestral culture of the Xumi Tibetans, a small ethnic group of the Shuiluo Township in Muli Tibetan Autonomous County. Every household has a spirit table set up in the living room. The place of the head of the family is below the spirit's table, facing the entrance door. From his place he can conveniently burn incense with his right hand and greet guests with his left hand. When welcoming guests, the head of the family burns incense to worship gods and bless the guests. At about 7 o'clock in the morning, Xumi people use a wooden ladder to climb the roof of the house where they have a special place to burn incense. They place cypress branches, firewood and dry grass in the incense place, ignite the firewood, and then place in the fire some minced meat and food grains. As thick smoke begins to raise into the sky, the master of the ceremony blows the conch shell. The sound is echoed by the sounds of conch shells in other households in the village. The camera zooms on the neighboring village. There, four or five families have already begun to burn incense and pray. Xumi Tibetans believe that incense smoke can reach up to heaven and transmit to gods the joys and sorrows of the world. This traditional ceremony is passed onto the younger generation. The video is concluded by shots of a grandfather performing the incense offering ceremony together with his granddaughter.

Equipment: 索尼PWX—X70摄像机 索尼HDR-XR520E。 福斯特FOSTEX—FR专业