China's Dagur Minority - Sino-Platonic Papers

it manifested itself as an evil spirit, some went mad. It was worshipped in a miniaturetemple in each family's courtyard. If there was no temple, it was placed in astorehouse which was off limits to women. Offerings were pigs, sheep, chickens,liquor, and fruits.7.2k Koton Barken or Huaran BarkenToward the end of the Qing Dynasty, this god's spirit began to be felt in the armycamp of Laoliancheng. Later it was worshipped widely in northeast China. It wasbrought into a Dagur community by a Dagur who had served in the governmentarmy. Afterwards, Dagur of all hals and mokons began worshipping it. It alsooriginated from a fox and was worshipped in the family courtyard. Offerings wereswine, sheep, chickens, hits, and liquor.In ancient times a widow gave birth, and, in order to save her reputation, she killedthe infant. When its resentful soul met the spirits of a fox and yellow weasel, itimmediately became malicious, and brought diseases to many people. Almost all halsand mkons worshipped it. It was not a wenguer. It was worshipped in the familycourtyard temple. It brought misfortune mainly to pregnant women and infants.Offerings included swine, chickens, liquor, and fruits. The smaller image on theshrine's left side was the major goddess, the two adults were her parents, and theimages on her right side were her midwife and husband.7.2m Niangniang Barken or Higeewqan anal UqikweeqaaThree sisters--Yunxiao, Qongxiao, and Bixiao--were killed when fighting Jiangziya[as described] in the Romance of Granting Titles and Territon'es to the Nobles. Laterthey were all established as goddesses [that is, Niangniang Barken, or Hegeewqan andUqikweeqaa]. All Dagur worshipped them, for they could control smallpox andchildren's diseases. They did not exert evil influences on adults. Their images werekept in a niche. Offerings were a pig, chickens, liquor, and hits and were madewhen diseases broke out.7.2n Goddesses of Child Protection or Womie BarkenWomie Barken lived in nine yurts, which had a nine-step stairway. Gold and silvertrees of heaven were about the yurts, which were encircled by three layers of walls.Within the walls there was a large cooking pot. Outside the courtyard there were apair of phoenixes (male and female). Old parents were dressed in long gowns.Children were conceived in nine springs. Fetuses were taken out, and then held intheir mothers' arms in front of their ample bosoms and on their backs. They had goldand silver galoha. The goddess had large breasts which hung to her sleeve ends andcould be tossed over her shoulders. Offerings for this goddess were a white malewenguer horse and a sheep. They were made in the hope that she would bestowchildren and bless children.