2014-12-29

信仰、記憶與建構:談六房媽過爐

黃漢偉。〈信仰、記憶與建構:談六房媽過爐〉。《民俗曲藝》186 (2014.12): 59-101
Huang Han-wei. “Belief, Memory, and Construction: On the Guolu Ritual of Liufangma.” Journal of Chinese Ritual, Theatre and Folklore 186 (2014.12): 59-101.

Abstract

六房媽信仰分佈於雲嘉地區,主要的輪祀範圍位於斗南股、土庫股、五間厝股、大北勢股、過溪股等五股地區。信仰由來有不同的扶鸞傳說,但不脫原為林氏家族神的起源說法,顯示有其共同的集體記憶脈絡可循,當地信徒至今喚作「老姑婆」或者「六房媽姑婆」。隨着信徒對於傳說的詮釋與查證,使得原本的扶鸞說法面臨挑戰,加以近年政府、民間對於文化資產之重視與期待,地方逐漸回應以文史建構,呈現民間信仰中的變遷性格。
以無形文化資產的觀念來看,民間信仰與儀式活動本身具有一邊參與一邊學習的特色,既根植於生活養成也形成集體的認同焦點,頗能呼應默會知識的觀察面向。在六房媽過爐儀式中,所有成員學習不同分類、層次的知識,並在儀式過程中彰顯信仰中的潛在智慧,凸顯奠基於儀式實踐中的學習特色。五股的集體記憶影響現代信徒看待六房媽信仰的儀式慶典,衍生追溯信仰起源傳說以及如何重新看待過去的扶鸞內容,更攸關如何維持五股輪祀特色以及文化資產保存與活化等議題,進而能在傳承信仰之餘維繫在地知識。
本論文企圖以六房媽信仰田野現況之調查,觀察信仰作為一項文化資產,成為信徒集體記憶所依附的載體,透過儀式活動的實踐與地方文史的建構,呈現地方形塑信仰的發展過程。
The cult of Liufangma (Mother from the sixth branch) spreads within Yunlin and Jiayi counties, its major rotating sacrifice covering Dounan, Tuku, Wujiancuo, Dabeishi, and Guoxi areas. There are several versions of the origins of the cult in spirit-writing. Nearly all of them point to a Lin family who brought this deity to Taiwan from their hometown in China. Originally worshipped within the Lin clan, till this day, followers from these areas still call this goddess “grandaunt” or “grandaunt from the sixth branch,” indicating a shared collective memory. However, some followers’ interpretation and textual research of the legend challenged previous spirit-writing versions. In recent years, the government and non-governmental sectors have placed much attention on the cultural heritage, while the locals responded with their own constructed history. Together they revealed to the changeable nature of popular religion.
From the perspective of intangible cultural heritage, popular religion and ritual activities carry a feature of learning by participation. This kind of learning is rooted in life experiences and forms a focus of collective identity. In the Liufangma guolu (“handing over the incense burner”) ritual, all members acquire knowledge of different categories and levels. During the process, they manifest the latent wisdom of this cult and the features of learning embedded in ritual practice. Collective memory of the five shares influences modern followers in their view of this ritual festivity. Consequently, some followers trace the origin of the legend and re-examine versions in the spirit-writing from the past. The upholding of this rotating worship system, the preservation and activation of cultural heritage all hinge on the collective memory. More than simply passing on the belief itself, local knowledge also relies on this collective memory to perpetuate.
The purpose of this study is to investigate current circumstances of the Liufangma cult, to observe religious belief as a cultural heritage, a vehicle to which the follower’s collective memory is attached. Through the practice of ritual activities and construction of local history, I present the process of how a cult serves to shape a local society.