Pumi adult ceremony customs
The girl's coming-of-age ceremony is called the "Skirt Ceremony" and is hosted by her mother. The little girl walked to the "female pillar" in front of the fire pond, stepped on the grain bag and pig fat with her feet, holding earrings, beads, bracelets and other decorations in her right hand, and linen yarn, linen and other daily necessities in her left hand. The objects on her hands symbolize the rights that women will have to enjoy and the obligations of the family. Then the wizard prayed to the family ancestors and the kitchen god. The mother took off the girl's linen gown, changed into a linen short coat, put on a pleated long dress, and tied it with a belt embroidered with a pattern. The daughter, who had put on her new clothes, kowtowed to the kitchen god and relatives and friends to express her gratitude, and relatives and friends gave gifts to express her blessings.
The boy's coming-of-age ceremony is called the "Pants Ceremony" and is presided over by his uncle. The Pumi people retain many relics of matriarchal society, and their uncle has the highest status in the family. The little boy walked to the "male pillar" in front of the left side of the fire pond, stepped on the pig fat and grain bags with his feet, holding a sharp knife in his right hand, symbolizing courage, and holding a silver round in his left hand, symbolizing wealth. The wizard prayed to the kitchen god and the family ancestor. The uncle took off the boy's linen gown, put on him a linen short jacket, linen trousers, and tied a belt. Boys who have changed into new clothes have to kowtow to the kitchen god and relatives and friends one by one like girls, and use horns wine glasses to toast relatives and friends. Relatives and relatives often send him a sheep to congratulate him on his future peace and good luck, and cattle and sheep flock in large groups.
When a "skirt ceremony" or "pants ceremony" is held, the parents of a girl or boy will hold a grand banquet to entertain the relatives, friends and guests attending. They served each of the guests a bowl of bone soup, a piece of meat and some pork hearts and liver, indicating that everyone was flesh and blood, and their hearts and minds were connected. After the banquet, the ceremony ended. The "Skirt Ceremony" and "Pants Ceremony" were held. The little girl and the little boy were considered adults. They became little girls and young men. They could participate in production labor and social activities and become official members of the family.
The age limit between Pumi children and adults is 13 years old. Before the age of 13, both boys and girls wear long gowns. At the age of 13, after holding the "putting on pants" and "putting on skirts" ceremonies, that is, the Cheng Ding ceremony, can you change your clothes and step into the ranks of adults.
The Pumi people hold more Chengding ceremonies than during the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival). Most of the ceremonies were presided over by mothers or uncles, which were simple and enthusiastic. At that time, the whole family would sit around the raging fire pond and watch the scene with joy: adult children walked to the divine pillar in front of the fire pond and stepped on pig fat and grain bags with their feet. Pig fat symbolizes wealth, and grain bags symbolize a bumper harvest, which means that you can eat and wear when you grow up, and your life is happy and happy. If it is a boy, he should hold a sharp knife in his right hand and silver dollar in his left hand. The silver dollar symbolizes wealth, and the sharp knife symbolizes courage. If it is a girl, she should hold earrings, bracelets and other ornaments in her right hand, and linen, linen, etc. in her left hand, symbolizing the family rights she can enjoy and the labor obligations she should bear. Then the wizard prayed to the Kitchen God and his ancestors, and the uncle or mother changed his (her) gown and put him (her) on a short coat and trousers (pleated skirt). After dressing up, everyone should give him (her) some gifts to express their congratulations. Young men (girls) should also kowtow and toast to the Kitchen God and relatives and friends one by one, and hope to continue to receive their protection and help in the future journey of life. From then on, adult young men or girls can participate in collective productive labor and various social activities.
It is said that the Pumi people have a long-standing custom of holding "wearing pants" and "wearing skirts" ceremonies for children over the age of 13. Legend has it that when Kublai attacked Yunnan and passed by in western Sichuan, two Pumi teenagers, only 13 years old, followed the army south. They risked their lives and died, and were brave and good at fighting, and were deeply appreciated by Kublai Khan. Later, in order to commemorate them and educate future generations, people held a rite of passage for 13-year-old children every New Year, wishing them healthy growth and becoming people with lofty aspirations in the future. From then on, this kind of activity has been followed into practice and has been passed down to this day.