The Panyao Tribe’s Initiation Ceremony in Hezhou

The Panyao Tribe’s Initiation Ceremony in Hezhou

　　In Yao tradition, every man must undergo an initiation ceremony at least once in his lifetime to ensure the continuation of his family line. Through this rite, the diligence, resilience, respect for teachers, emphasis on etiquette, and mutual love of his ancestors can be passed down. A total of 41 men participated in this initiation, six of whom went through the ceremony together with their wives. It is said that couples who undergo the initiation together will love each other for life, remaining devoted until death. Even in the afterlife, they will continue to be husband and wife.

　　During the initiation ceremony, the men must endure various physical and mental trials, such as climbing a blade ladder, walking across a fire pit, and journeying through the underworld. The blade ladder involves constructing a wooden platform about three meters high, upon which a ladder made of blades is placed. This ladder has seven rungs, each consisting of two sharpened knives tied in an “X” shape between two wooden poles. These sharp blades naturally make the onlookers very nervous. The initiates remove their shoes and socks, and their masters perform a “ritual” on the soles of their feet. As a result, each initiate becomes fearless and, under the guidance of their master, one by one they step boldly onto the sharp blades and climb up the ladder to reach the platform. Each time an initiate reaches the top, the watching crowd erupts in cheers, applauding the courage of the young men.

　　Walking across the fire pit is another challenging test of the initiates’ bravery. A fire is lit in the center of the site with six or seven bricks placed on it. Once the flames die down and only glowing embers remain, the fire pit crossing begins. The initiates, following their master, walk barefoot across the hot bricks. No one backs down, and the courage displayed by the initiates makes their parents watching nearby feel immense pride, as they see that their sons are ready to take on the responsibilities of adulthood.

　　The journey through the underworld involves the masters using “rituals” to put the initiates into a deep sleep, during which their souls are believed to wander through the underworld. Then, the masters perform another ritual to awaken them. In this way, the initiates learn not to fear death.

　　Over these four days and nights, the initiates endure the arduous tests of climbing the blade mountain, crossing the fire pit, journeying through the underworld, as well as enduring cold and exhaustion. From this point on, they will inherit the spirit and traditions passed down through generations of the Yao people, and put these values into practice in their daily lives and work. They will take on the responsibility of building harmonious families and a harmonious society.