**12. Jiuixi**

After the tali tree, a follow-up ritual to expunge any lingering and unaccounted evil spirits attracted to the house. This ritual segmen<sup>t</sup> was called *jiuixi*, a Miao word meaning "reasons." Badai Tian, wearing badaixiong regalia, chanted an invocation inside the side door nearest the family dining area (Figure 11). Tian performed the ritual to expunge unaccounted evil. Once completed, he began calling the gods and good spirits to come. However, the elderly Tian grew tired and asked Shi, a badaixiong, to assist.

**Figure 11.** Badai Shi Changwu playing the zhutuo and chanting to call and welcome helping spirits into the house. (Photo: Thomas Riccio).

Throughout the ritual, Shi played the *zhutuo* 竹柝, a long, hollow wooden traditional instrument with three strings, as he and Tian chanted. "The instrument played is of the Miao people from ancient times to bring the people together. And it is the only instrument to call the god and spirits. When it makes sounds, they know they are speaking. We use it so the spirits will come. It pleases them and gets their attention" (C. Shi 2018b).

At the "door altar," Tian and Shi chanted rounds of repetitive, trance-like invitations. "This ritual begins with inviting spiritual teachers and the gods to this family. It is also to tell the ancestor teachers what they need to do for this ritual. When the spiritual teachers are agreed and we are together, we know what we need to do" (Tian 2018c).

Then the ritual moves into its primary concern, asking questions and the reasons for the curses against the family. The jiuixi segmen<sup>t</sup> of chanting of questions can last for several hours; this demonstration lasted well over an hour. The chanting asks the spirits by whom and why the family has been cursed. Tian called spirits by their name and asked who made the curse. "If you do the altar, you need to do this part by asking questions. I ask each spirit and offer a goa<sup>t</sup> to take the curse away" (Tian 2018c). Tian told me there was no verbal response from the spirits. Instead, "I know when I call their name" (Tian 2018c).

The chanting could be longer if you need to call more spirits. It is an ancient poem and is rhymed just like poetry to please the gods and spirits. Each rhyme has the same number of characters, and the words are precisely what I learned from my father and grandfather. I did not add one character (Tian 2018b).
