THE HIDDEN KNOWLEDGE OF THE TORGHUT HEALERS

This video focuses on the descendants of the Torghut religious groups who were separately settled in Khöngs by Qing officials. When the Torghuts East migrated to Xinjiang in 1771, there were 10 Sums (religious groups). Four settled in Ili, while the remaining six were settled in Khöngs. These are Anjatan Shavinar, Lamiin Shawinar, Chööjin Shawinar, Zunkabagin Shawinar, and Gegeeni Shawinar. Because they were religiously literate and played the role of the think tank for the Torghuts at the time, their literate tradition has continued to this day. They possess secret knowledge such as distinctive spells and medical treatments that have only existed within the group. As explored in the video, Liirei’s ancestor was known as ‘Tugch Buural, Tugul Zaisan’, responsible for carrying the flags of the Torghuts during the migration. His son, Lobsandanzan Lama, also played a consultant role to the Torghut Khan during the eastward migration. Liirei’s ancestral lineage since the return includes Tugul Zaisan, Lobsandanzan, Ishi Chöireg, Sükh, Tungalagsain, Bat, Khöngs, Bayar, Danzan, Abjai, and Liirei. The secret knowledge of the family includes spells, which Liirei is now proficient in. He can perform fire spells by licking red-hot iron sticks with his tongue before blowing hot air onto swollen wounds, teeth, and other pains. He also knows the snake spell (Mogoi Tarin in Mongolian) for dealing with toxic elements such as snake bites or other poisonous insect bites, a Burd spell he improved from Kyrgyz and Kazakh people, and a spell specifically for children. Among these spells, the snake spell is the strongest and he does not perform it under normal circumstances as it can be harmful to him if it goes wrong. To test whether one has acquired the spell, it is practised on animals and plants, such as a snake, a frog, or plants. It is considered successful if the animal is immobilised or the plant withers after the spell. Once acquired, the biggest taboo is eating animal tongues and livestock head meat. Spells are also ...