The Oboo Worship in Hobogsair

Abstract

Among the Torghuts in Hobogsair, Oboo or stone cairn worship began during Uvgun Noyan’s era, the successor of Tsebegdorj Noyan. In those years, each of the three Banners worshipped its own Oboo. Noyan’s Banner worshipped Arya Sampil Dorj Chogdo deity at Bayanöndör, while the Jasag Banner worshipped Hüren Öndör Oboo, and Jurgan Sum Banner worshipped the Khan Oboo in Gün Salaa. Of the three, Gün Salaa Oboo was the most respected, conducting its ritual around early May, preceding other Oboos in Hobogsair. According to the knowledge passed down from esteemed elders, as highlighted by Gonchig, people used to pasture their camels in the Salbur Mountains and move to Sharagin Shil in the summer season. Therefore, Torghut herders traditionally worshipped the first worshipped Gün Sala Oboo in May, driving 800 white camels to circle the Oboo cairn before embarking on their summer pasture. Apart from these three significant Oboos, each of the fourteen Sums in the three Banners has its own smaller Oboo for practising the worship ritual in the summertime. Additionally, several other Oboos were constructed for various reasons. For instance, as of now, five Oboos were built after the Panchen Lama visited Hobogsair in 1984, and several Oboos were established in different places after the Shalivan Gegen reincarnated three times in Hobogsair. All of these are now practised with great respect. Since 2000, many new Oboos have emerged in Hobogsair, including family Oboos, clan Oboo and many more.