Tai Folk Religion (continued)

Tai folk religion has been summarized in a preceding article on this webpage, but its followers are so numerous and widespread that it can be considered as a non-specific regional ethnic religion. The Lao people, the Thai Ahom people, the Shan people, the Dai people, the Tai Khamti, the Isan people and the Thais of Thailand all possess many persons who practice the Tai folk religion. It is based on animism and polytheism and incorporates shamanism and ancestor worship. Followers of the Tai religion beleive that gods and various lesser deities can patronize buildings, localities, or objects. Deities can be many types of spirits, including the spirits of ancestors. By interacting with living people, deities can either protect or harm them. Both urban and rural residents seek the mercy of the protector deities by glorifying them at meetings and offering them food. The pantheon of Tai gods includes both Hindu and non-Hindu gods (Piftan). The spirits are ubiquitous, and some of them are connected with the universal elements: air, earth, fire and water. The belief system includes 32 protector spirits called Hwang. Whenever important events occur in a person’s life (such as a wedding or a new job), the Bachi ceremony helps an individual to strengthen or restore their connection with the Hwang spirits. A weakening of these spirits leads to illness and failure. During the ceremony, all 32 Hwang spirits are returned to a person to ensure their health, good luck, and overall well-being. At the ceremony, cotton threads are tied around the participant’s wrist to bind the recaptured spirits inside. In the daily life of Tai, close to every building, there are small, covered spirit houses, miniature shrines that provide shelter for protector spirits. In difficult times, people petition these spirits for advice or assistance. Natural deities reside in forests and mountains, rather than spirit houses. Angels and the spirits of ancestors also help protect people. Those who were bad in past incarnations or who died tragically are veiwed as evil spirits. The gods of certain places such as houses, rivers, or forests are neither good nor evil. But by making offerings, a person can solicit aid from them. Priests called mofis are shamans, ritual specialists who can communicate with gods, the spirits, and the world of the dead. To do so, they enter a trance and utilize objects endowed with supernatural powers. Ceremonies begin with an offering to the gods of chicken meat and rice wine. After the gods consume the spiritual essence of the food, the people can eat the corporeal remains. Ethnic groups which preach the Tai folk religion believe that spirits live in almost everything that surrounds them. Respect and reverence for nature, living and inanimate beings help people achieve the desired harmony in life. Ethnic groups which preach the Tai folk religion believe that spirits dwell in practically everything that surrounds them. Respect and reverence for nature, the living, and even inanimate objects allows people to obtain a harmonious life.