古代徽州地区祈雨习俗考论——以清代、民国所修徽州地区方志为中心

Research on the Custom of Praying for Rain in Ancient Huizhou——Based on the Chorography Compiled in the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China

清代、民国所修方志中,记录了古代徽州地区的一些祈雨习俗。徽州地区山多田少,滩高水急,农耕环境恶劣;历史上旱灾频仍,并伴有次生灾害。这些与徽地民间信仰结合,构成了徽州地区祈雨活动发生的原始动因。徽地祈雨从具体形式来看,既有国家祀典的礼制,又有乡民们朴素的手段,折射出徽州地区的民间信仰特征以及官民的不同文化心理。徽州地区祈雨活动,展示了古代徽州民俗文化的一个侧面。

The custom of praying for rain in ancient Huizhou was recorded in the ehorography compiled during the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. With more mountains and less farmland, high river banks and rapid current, the agricultural environment in Huizhou is harsh. There were many drought disasters in history, together with some secondary disasters. All these factors combined with the folk beliefs in Huizhou, led to the formation of the custom of praying for rain. In terms of the forms, there are both official and folk methods, which reflects different cultural psychology between the government and the common people. The custom shows an aspect of the folk culture in Huizhou.