Worship of King Pan in the Yao Religion

Dancing to honor King Pan,an ancient heritage of Chinese Yao Ethnic Group,is a ritual activity in the Yao society to worship their ancestor Panhu.This paper focuses on the origin of the Yao people's worship of King Pan,analyzes the religious function of their ritual Dancing to honor King Pan,and gives a new interpretation to the cultural characteristics of such worship.The author maintains that the Yao people's religious worship of King Pan is of multiple significances.By such rituals as dancing long drum dance,singing and offering sacrifices,the celebration does not only express the Yao people's remembrance of their ancestor Panhu,but also confirms the Yao ancestors as part of Chinese culture.The worship of King Pan in the Yao society has a long history,which results from the integration of different ethnic groups in China.