The Wu Culture: Wuxi and the Culture Around It
In the Great Wilderness, there is a mountain named Fengju Yumen (丰沮玉门), where the sun and moon set. On this mountain are Lingshan (灵山), Wuxian (巫咸), Wuji (巫即), Wupan (巫盼), Wugu (巫姑), Wuzhen (巫真), Wuli (巫礼), Wudi (巫抵), Wuxie (巫谢), and Wuluo (巫罗)—the "Ten Witches" who ascend and descend here, beloved by all for their mastery of medicine. ——Classic of Mountains and Seas: The Great Wilderness West (《山海经·大荒西经》)
Wuxi (巫溪) is one of humanity's earliest cradles and the birthplace of Wu Culture in China. During the Tang Yao period, it belonged to the Wuxian Kingdom; during the Yu and Xia dynasties, it was part of the Wuzhi Kingdom; during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, it was the Yong Kingdom's Fish City (鱼邑); during the Spring and Autumn period, it was part of the Ba Kingdom's Fish City; and in the Warring States period, it became part of Chu and was governed as Wu County (巫郡). Among all the cultures of the Bayu region, the oldest is Wu Culture. The Wuba Mountains (巫巴山) in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River are a significant birthplace of Wu Culture, with Baoyuan Mountain (宝源山) in Ningchang Ancient Town (宁厂古镇), Wuxi County, serving as its core.
Wu Culture originated in ancient times, created by the "Ten Witches of Lingshan" (灵山十巫), led by Wuxian (巫咸), with Baoyuan Mountain in Ningchang Ancient Town as its center. It is a regional culture characterized by astrology and divination as its primary forms, alongside salt culture and medicinal culture as its main content. The Ten Witches of Lingshan are legendary shamans known for their skills in medicine and divination. Later, Wu Culture merged with Chu Culture and other cultural traditions, giving rise to the flourishing Ba Culture (巴文化). This cultural integration nurtured works such as the Classic of Mountains and Seas (《山海经》), the literary masterpiece Classic of Poetry (《诗经》), and the shamanic songs of Chu Ci (《楚辞》).
"Because witchcraft was one of its expressive forms, Wu Culture experienced setbacks in history, leading to its long silence," said Chinese folklorist Wu Bing'an (乌丙安). In fact, Wu Culture is one of the most original and authentic cultural expressions of human society. It forms one of the foundations of Chinese civilization, and forgetting it would be tantamount to forgetting our roots.
Wu Culture has had a profound impact on Chinese civilization. Wu Bing'an explained that ancient shamans, due to their need for divination, observed celestial phenomena for years, collecting extensive astronomical knowledge and discovering seasonal patterns. The Chinese lunar calendar and the division of solar terms (节气) are closely linked to this. Shamans, in their efforts to "exorcise ghosts and treat illnesses," tasted various herbs and invented simple pharmaceutical methods, profoundly influencing traditional Chinese medicine. Furthermore, the romanticism in some ancient literary works is also related to Wu Culture.
After thousands of years of continuity, the residents of the Wuba Mountains still preserve customs such as mourning songs, witch dances, and ritual drumming. Folk practices like climbing knife ladders, fire licking, stilt walking, balancing cauldrons, and plow sliding remain mysterious and captivating. To protect these cultural gems, Wuxi County in Chongqing invited more than 70 domestic experts to discuss the preservation of Wu Culture. After extensive efforts, the Chongqing Huaxia Wu Culture Research Institute (重庆华夏巫文化研究院) was officially approved.
Zheng Xiangdong (郑向东), Party Secretary of Wuxi County, stated that the Chongqing Huaxia Wu Culture Research Institute will focus on theoretical research, historical documentation, heritage protection, and cultural tourism development. Wuxi County also plans to build a Wu Culture Museum to collect and exhibit items and materials related to shamans, witch songs, witch dances, and other Wu Culture elements.
Wu Bing'an emphasized that the purpose of studying Wu Culture is to protect the roots of Chinese civilization, a public welfare endeavor that stands in opposition to the profit-driven nature of market economics. He cautioned that local governments, while developing Wu Culture for economic purposes, must not distort or alter it arbitrarily. It is crucial to preserve its authenticity, respect its history, and avoid commercialization.
