ABSTRACT
The subject of this chapter is an annual harvest festival known as “Incense Dancing” (Tiaoxiang 跳香) held in southwestern areas of Western Hunan. Apart from describing one festival that my colleagues and I observed in Luxi 瀘溪 County in 2012, the chapter focuses on its convoluted historical development, which has been intricately intertwined with both non-Han and Han religious cultures plus local identity politics. Particular attention is devoted to the Incense Dancing festival's possible origins in myths and temple cults to the ancient canine deity Panhu 盤瓠 and his princess bride Xinnü 辛女.
