Phi
Faa Ritual
A
shamanistic ritual in Lao and Northeast-Thailand (Issan) for healing illnesses
A private publication by Dr.
Reinhold Spatz, April 28,2009, http://www.spatz-darmstadt.de
Abstract
Report
of a ethnographic video project about a shamanistic ritual in Lao and
Northeast-Thailand (Issan) for healing illnesses. Phi Faa is a supernatural
power and deified by the locals of
Introduction
Folk
religion is the practice of a religion by lay people outside of an organized
institution. The rituals and practices are transmitted orally between
generations. The aim is seeking healing or preventing misfortune, e.g. by help
of supernatural beings. In many
cases shamans (-> shamanism) are intermediaries between the human and the
spirit worlds, often by help of entheogens, shamanic music, drumming , chanting
or a combination of these medians. Within a shamanic ritual sound is used a a
healing power, directing spiritual energy from the spirit via the shaman to the
sick person.
In
developed and industrial societies the younger generation does not take over
these traditions. Shamanic rituals are mainly accompanied by elder people and
the tradition is running danger to get lost. The aim of this work was to video
record the preparation and the ritual as a full, to comment the ritual as far as
it is possible from an outsider and to make this material available to
interested persons or ethnologists.
The
Spirit
Phi
Faa, Nang Faa or
Phi Thaen is a supernatural power residing in the sky. It is believed that Phi
Faa created the earth. She is close
to a god or a being like his highest ranking angle. Phi Faa is able to heal from
disease and protect from unexplained disasters. The Phi Faa Ritual is preferably
celebrated for a person that
rejoices the convalescence from a serious disease. The faithful
thank Phi Faa for her support and plead to grant further protection.
The
Shaman
The
shaman is the medium, that is able to
contact the Phi Faa and invite her to take part in the ceremony. The shaman
selects the suitable date and location for the ceremony,
instructs the people during the preparation of the ritual, controls the
correct decoration of the sacrificial altar
and conducts the full
ceremony.
The
Sound
Music,
Chanting and Dancing
are indispensible elements of the Phi Faa
Ritual. The Khaen , a bamboo mouth
organ, is the central
music instrument of the Phi Faa Ritual. It is creating a sacred
atmosphere when used to accompany ritual prayers and devotions and it is
engaging the participants of the ritual while leading the rhythmic dancing
around the sacrificial altar. Especially for the latter dedication the Khaen is
accompanied by the Phing (a guitar like string instrument), by a hand drum and
by Chings (small bells, cymbals). The genre of chanting is very similar to Mor
Lam, the traditional music of Lao and Northeast-Thailand.
The
Guests
The
guests of a Phi Faa Ritual involve
themselves into this highly spiritual ceremony with dancing around a decorated
sacrificial altar. The dance lasts a full night and creates trance conditions
for many of the participants. They believe Phi Faa will participate the ceremony
and they expect healing and protection from unfavorable fortune.
The
steps of the ritual are related to
the songs chanted by the shaman and are always accompanied by the Khaen. This is
because the Khaen is believed to be an important mean to communicate with the
gods and the spirits. The steps of the ritual are as follows: Inviting the gods
or spirits, explaining the reason for the invitation, pray for assistance, pray
for protection, consoling the patient, re-calling the spirit that has fled the
patient, inviting Phi Faa to accept the offers, Baasii ritual, fortune telling
and take leave of Phi Faa.
The
baasii ceremony is an important part of Lao culture and few Lao would consider
undertaking a long journey or important endeavor without holding one. The
faithful sit around a small table on which a variety of offerings are displayed
– bananas, sticky rice, biscuits, money and rice whiskey. An elder or a shaman
recites the blessing, while everyone touches the offerings or, if they can’t
reach, the elbow of someone touching the offerings. The elder or the shaman ties
a piece of string around the wrist. In Lao tradition, the soul consists of many
guardian spirits that occasionally wander away from their owner. These must be
called back and bound to the body to ensure a person is properly protected
before any important undertaking. Once the elder has finished other participants
continue tying loops of string. Yet more string is produced and finally everyone
ties string around each other’s wrists, whispering good wishes all the while. It is
believed that the string must be worn for at least three full days to ensure the
desired effect.
Details
of report and the video recorded ritual
the ritual took place in the new moon night February 25, 26, 2009
location:
Baan Nong Keng, province SiSaKet,
Issan, Northeast -
shaman,
patient, participants and guests were villagers
from Baan Nong Keng
The
video was recorded by a digital camcorder from Sony (HDR-HC5) on mini DV tape in
HD (high resolution mode)
video
footage, video cut and text explanations by mickspatz
all
sounds are original sounds recorded during the ritual
copyright
and all rights for publishing in full or in parts by mickspatz ©
2009 mickspatz
www.spatz-darmstadt.de
recommended
scientific literature about ritual music:
Warawut
Roengbuthra & Bussakorn Sumrongthong
publications:
Warawut
Roengbuthra, Bussakorn Sumrongthong , Phi Faa Ritual Music of the Northeastern Part
of
This paper was donated by the
author to WIKIPEDIA, The Free Encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phi_Faa_Ritual
)