Tradition and Symbolism of Sheep Scapula Divination: a Case Study of Bayangol Mongols from Xinjiang

Abstract

Introduction. In the cultural tradition of Mongolic peoples, there is a rite of sacralizing certain parts of animal bones, and related ritual actions and prohibitions. In this regard, a special place is held by the ancient rite of telling tales and divination on sheep scapula. Goals. The paper seeks to examine the mentioned practice among Bayangol Mongols (Oirats) of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (PRC). Results. The shoulder bone as an important and sacred part of the body is mentioned in many oral and written narratives, including such ancient written monuments as The Secret History of the Mongols and the Epic of Jangar. In the food culture of the Oirats, there is a special tradition of offering a shoulder bone to certain members of the family and clan, by age and social status. In the verse of benevolence to be recited after eating the spatula meat and an obligatory break of the scapula, as well as in the text of the narrative and divination on sheep scapula, there are certain general clichéd formulas that have a deep symbolic meaning. The article examines the rites that exist in the tradition of the Oirats of Bayangol related to storytelling and divination on sheep scapula, as well as the symbolic meaning of the texts.