NO. 2 FOLK RELIGION IN SOUTHWEST CHINA — GRAHAM 4I 



I witnessed and marched as a sympathetic mourner in the funeral 

 of Mrs. Lei (thunder), and the following are the notes I took on this 

 occasion. 



This funeral took place at I-pin, Szechwan Province, China, De- 

 cember 4, 1928. I was a friend of the oldest son and chief mourner. 

 Captain Lei, of the Lei clan or family, the most powerful in I-pin, so 

 I was invited to attend. It was agreed that instead of the kowtow, I 

 could show my sympathy and respect in ways that were agreeable to 

 me. 



There was a great funeral parade through some of the main streets 

 of the city to the river. The principal mourners and helpers and the 

 Taoist priest crossed in ferryboats to the opposite side of the river, 

 where the burial ceremonies took place. This parade was half a mile 

 long. 



The home of Mr. Lei, the most powerful permanent resident of the 

 city, was outside the west gate in the western suburb. All the guests, 

 the friends and the mourners, including myself, wore white cotton 

 cloths wrapped around their hats as a sign of mourning. The deceased 

 was the mother of Mr. Lei. At the home, the guests and relatives all 

 bowed and kowtowed in respect or worship to the spirit tablet of the 

 deceased. Her soul or spirit was believed to be in this tablet. I tipped 

 my hat and bowed to show my respect and sympathy. Many friends 

 and guests had given as presents paper scrolls on which there had 

 been written expressions of sympathy and compliments to Mrs. Lei 

 and her family. In return they were invited to the feast and to the 

 funeral. 



First in the parade the scrolls were carried. These had been given in 

 pairs, the second scroll completing the meaning of the first. There was 

 a long line of men and boys carrying these scrolls. Next there 

 marched about a thousand soldiers carrying rifles. About 30 policemen 

 followed the soldiers. Then pavilions were carried, large and small, 

 on which were attractive ornamental things such as vases and stuffed 

 birds. Then came some mourners, then the coffin. Behind the coffin 

 were other mourners. The sons followed the coffin dressed in sack- 

 cloth, a dull white in color, and wearing white hats made of paper. The 

 sons all walked. The oldest son was led or half led and half carried by 

 two men, one on each side. He also held a cane or staff in his hands, 

 using it to support himself and conveying the impression that he was 

 completely crushed by the loss of his mother. I marched in the parade 

 with the guests. 



The river was crossed in boats, and the main parade ended at the 

 river. 



