Then (religion)

Then (religion)
Name	Then
Type	Ethnic religion
Main classification	Folk religion
Scripture	Oral tradition
Theology	Animism, polytheism
Language	Tày, Nùng, Dao
Founded date	Prehistoric
Founded place	Northern Vietnam
Area	Vietnam, Southern China
Number of followers	Estimates vary

Then (religion). Then is an indigenous folk religion and form of spiritual practice primarily observed by the Tày people, Nùng people, and Dao people in the mountainous regions of Northern Vietnam and Southern China. Centered on a pantheon of spirits and deities governing the natural world and human fate, it functions as a comprehensive cosmological system. The religion's rituals, often involving elaborate ceremonies led by male or female shamans known as "Then masters," aim to communicate with the spirit world to heal, bless, and resolve earthly troubles. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, Then represents a vital component of the cultural identity of several Tai-Kadai and Hmong-Mien ethnic groups.

Etymology and meaning

The term "Then" is derived from the Tày and Nùng word for "heaven" or the celestial realm, reflecting the religion's focus on a layered universe connected by a cosmic axis. This concept is linguistically related to similar terms in other Tai languages, such as the Zhuang word for sky or divinity. In practice, "Then" refers not only to the supreme heavenly domain but also to the entire body of beliefs, rituals, and the specialist practitioners who navigate between the human and spirit worlds. The name underscores the central role of celestial beings and ancestors in mediating between the earthly plane, known as the "Middle World," and the higher spiritual dimensions.

Core beliefs and cosmology

Then cosmology posits a universe divided into three primary realms: the Upper World (Then), the Middle World (Earth), and the Underworld. The Upper World is inhabited by a host of deities and spirits, including the supreme god King Then (Then Luông), who governs creation and destiny. The Middle World is the domain of humans, animals, and local spirits like the Land Genie and Forest Genie, while the Underworld is associated with ancestors and chthonic forces. A core belief involves the concept of "khwan" or vital souls, which can become lost or captured by malevolent spirits, leading to illness or misfortune. Practitioners believe in a vast, hierarchical pantheon where spirits control natural phenomena, health, and harvests, necessitating constant ritual communication to maintain cosmic and social harmony.

Practices and rituals

Central to Then practice are ceremonial performances led by a Then master, who acts as an intermediary, often entering a trance state to journey to the heavenly court. Major rituals include "Lẩu Then" (Then singing), a lengthy ceremony involving poetic invocations, music from the đàn tính lute, and dance to plead for health, luck, or a good harvest. The "Cap Sac" ceremony is a crucial rite of passage for Dao adherents, conferring priestly status. Other common rituals are healing ceremonies to recall lost souls, funerary rites to guide the deceased to the ancestors, and thanksgiving festivals like the "Long Tong" festival. These practices are deeply communal, often involving the participation of entire villages and the recitation of extensive oral epics that map the spirit world.

Historical development

The origins of Then are prehistoric, rooted in the ancient animistic traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Red River Delta and the Viet Bac region. It evolved through continuous interaction with the religious landscapes of Imperial China, absorbing some elements from Taoism and Chinese folk religion, particularly in its celestial bureaucracy of spirits. During the French Indochina period and later under the Communist Party of Vietnam, traditional practices were sometimes suppressed. However, the religion persisted clandestinely in remote areas. A significant revival began in the late 20th century following the Đổi Mới reforms, leading to increased cultural preservation efforts and its formal recognition by the Vietnamese state and international bodies.

Relationship to other belief systems

Then exists in a complex syncretic relationship with neighboring belief systems. It shares foundational animistic concepts with other indigenous religions of Vietnam, such as those of the Hmong people and Muong people. Historical contact with Chinese folk religion introduced parallels in spirit pantheon organization and the use of ritual texts. Among the Dao people, Then is intricately blended with elements of Taoism, evident in ordination ceremonies and cosmological symbolism. While distinct, it often coexists with Mahayana Buddhism and Ancestor worship in the daily spiritual life of communities, with many adherents participating in rituals from multiple traditions without perceiving contradiction.

Modern adherents and distribution

Today, Then is practiced predominantly in the mountainous provinces of Northern Vietnam, including Lạng Sơn, Cao Bằng, Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, and Bắc Kạn. Significant communities of adherents are also found among Tai-speaking groups in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Yunnan province of China. While precise numbers are difficult to ascertain, practitioners likely number in the millions, primarily among the Tày people, Vietnam's second-largest ethnic group. The religion's status was significantly elevated in 2019 when "Then" practices were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Contemporary practice is supported by cultural associations, festival revitalization, and academic study at institutions like the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

Category:Animism Category:Religion in Vietnam Category:Folk religion Category:Indigenous religions of Southeast Asia