Overview of System of Four Realms in Practice of Beliefs of the Yao People

Abstract

Based on the findings of field studies for many past years in the Northeastern and Northwestern regions of Vietnam, the writing provides an overview of the system of Four Realms in practice of beliefs of the Yao people who made migration in a large space covering all the Southern China and many countries in Southeast Asia. The system of Four Realms of the Yao people is expressed in many forms but due to its limited size, this writing only focuses its presentation on four points as follows: 1) Common perception of the system of Four Realms; 2) The system of Four Realms via the prayer-books; 3) Altar of Four Realms in space of performance of rituals and; 4) The pictures worshiping the Four Realms and images of the Four Realms’ four spirits used in the big ceremonies. In history of studies of the Yao people in Vietnam in particular and in the world in general, this is a first study specializing in the system of Four Realms.