Dongba

Dongba refers to the indigenous religion and writing system of the Naxi people, an ethnic minority group primarily residing in southwestern China. The Dongba religion is a form of shamanism, characterized by a complex cosmology, a pantheon of deities, and rituals performed by priests known as Dongba priests. These rituals often involve chanting, dancing, and the use of symbolic objects to appease spirits and ward off evil. Central to the Dongba religion is the concept of maintaining harmony between humans, nature, and the spiritual world.

The Dongba writing system is unique in that it is considered the only pictographic script still in use in the world today. It consists of around 1,400 distinct characters, each representing a word or a syllable. These pictograms are used to record religious texts, myths, legends, and historical accounts. The Dongba script is traditionally written on paper made from local plants and is often accompanied by colorful illustrations. The knowledge of reading and writing Dongba has historically been passed down within families, and Dongba priests play a crucial role in its preservation. Efforts have been made in recent decades to revive and promote the Dongba script and religion, ensuring its survival for future generations.