Disenchantment and Re-Enchantment: A Study of Contemporary Tibetan Youth’s Mountain Circumambulation

The ongoing academic debate on interpreting the disenchantment and re-enchantment of modern society remains unresolved. This study traces the theoretical genealogies of enchantment, disenchantment, and re-enchantment, proposing that enchantment is not a fixed concept but a dynamically evolving and reconstructed process. Focusing on sacred mountain circumambulation—a traditional pilgrimage ritual deeply entrenched in Tibetan cultural contexts—this study employs qualitative methods, conducting semi-structured interviews with 33 contemporary Tibetan youth to examine the manifestations of enchantment within this practice. Findings reveal that, against the backdrop of globalization and China’s social transformation, Tibetan youths’ circumambulation practices exhibit several emerging characteristics in organizational patterns, material preparation, modes of action, degree of ritual participation, and intergenerational differences. Within this pilgrimage activity, the process of disenchantment is evident as Tibetan youth attain higher levels of cultural and educational literacy. Traditional foundations of enchantment, such as taboos associated with sacred mountains and utilitarian motivations, persist. Simultaneously, new forms of enchantment with distinctly modern features—including topophilia and emotional value—are steadily emerging. The results suggest that disenchantment does not entail the demise of enchantment, nor does re-enchantment signify a return to traditional enchantment. Instead, sacred mountain circumambulation embodies the cognitive and perceptual process through which Tibetan youth engage with, understand, and negotiate enchantment via their individual lived experiences. This research not only uncovers the evolving significance of circumambulation in modern society but also offers a fresh perspective on how enchantment adapts and endures within contemporary contexts.