I don't know if you have noticed that this famous song "Aobaohui" doesn't have the word "Aobao" in the lyrics, which is a bit interesting.
The question is coming, what is Orbo?
In fact, "Aobao" is Mongolian, which can be transliterated as "brain bag" and "Ebo", meaning wood, stone and mound. Therefore, Aobao is actually a "stone pile", "mound" or "wood pile" made by human beings.
In the past, many places in Inner Mongolia could see large and small Aobao, mostly made of stone or sand, and occasionally made of branches. Aobao is generally located on high slopes or hills, and its shape is mostly conical, reaching several feet. From a distance, it really looks like a towering spire. Each Aobao also has its own name, usually named after a place name. When herdsmen go out for a long journey, they will dismount to worship Aobao, pray for peace, and add some stones or earth to Aobao for good luck.
Although Aobao can still be seen in Inner Mongolia prairie, with the urbanization process in Inner Mongolia and the change of herdsmen's lifestyle, the number of herders is getting less and less, and now the number of Aobao is greatly reduced.
According to the opinions of relevant historians, Aobao can be divided into four types:
The first is the landmark used to mark the flag (county) and the provincial boundary;
The second is to worship the gods and protect the peace and happiness of the flag people;
The third is as a memorial place for burying celebrities, which is similar to a memorial cemetery, such as the burial of Sumu Daliga (township head), Zasak (flag-bearer), heroes and celebrities. This type is the most.
The fourth is used as a road sign. Yao, a Qing man, wrote: "Every time a foreigner goes out, he rides a horse, and he can ride a horse. The pebble on the top of the mountain is called Ebo (today's "Aobao"), which is far and near. "
In short, the "Aobao" in grassland people's minds symbolizes that the gods are in their place and passed down from generation to generation, which constitutes an extremely strong belief. After the introduction of Buddhism, the combination of commemorative activities and religious activities added mystery to it and further deified it.
When I was a child, I lived in Baotou, Inner Mongolia. Because I live in a city, I have never been to the surrounding grasslands. I've heard of it, but I've never seen the real Aobao.
After growing up and working, I went to many places. Seeing Aobao in many places, a pile of stones flying flags, I feel a mysterious meaning, but I can't understand the artistic conception of the song "Meeting Aobao".
With the development of tourism, Aobao has become a symbol of Mongolian culture. My hometown Baotou, the tourism industry has developed very well in recent years. The city is beautifully built, clean and tidy, with many parks and green spaces. In summer, there are trees and grass here. In summer, Baotou is very cool and is a summer resort.
There is a famous place in downtown Baotou-Saihantala Park, the largest grassland in China. This is a must-see place for foreign tourists when they come to Baotou, and it is also a must-see place every time I go home to visit relatives.
There are all kinds of yurts, yurts, hills, streams, grasslands, trees, flowers and elk in this park. There are bicycle lanes and walking lanes around the park, and you can often see sheep and horses ... Of course, Aobao is indispensable on the grassland.
There are many yurts here, and there is only one Aobao, but it is very big.
Saihantala's Aobao was built on the top of a hillside not far from the gate of the park. It was conical and was about tens of feet high. The cone-shaped top of Aobao is covered with branches of red willow or elm, and its shape is a small beacon tower on the top of the hillside.
It is said that when building Aobao, hardware, grains, silks and treasures are usually placed at the bottom of its main body. I don't know if they are here, but this has not been confirmed.
There are many poles in Aobao, and sometimes flags are hung on them. At the top of Aobao, there is a bright three-strand steel fork. Mani poles and steel forks draw colored stripes, and warp flags are hung on the colored stripes. Seen from a distance, the Aobao Classic Flag soaring into the sky is very sacred.
There is a stone tribute platform in front of Aobao. It is said that this is the place where various activities and ceremonies are held. Unfortunately, I haven't seen it once.
I remember going back to Baotou one autumn and taking a walk in Saihantala Park one afternoon. Because the park is too big, it was already evening when it came out. At this time, the setting sun is like blood, which gives me a feeling of grassland vicissitudes. At this time, the moon in the sky also faintly lit up. Seeing Aobao dancing the flag on the high slope from a distance, I suddenly realized the artistic conception of the song "Meeting Aobao".
Just don't know, now young two of a kind, who will meet in this Aobao?