Woven Textiles in the Ritual of Spirit Worship of the Tai Ethnic Group in the Mekong Basin
Main Article Content
Abstract
The objectives of this article are to: 1) examine the ritual of spirit worship among the Tai ethnic groups of Thailand and 2) analyze the role of woven textiles in these rituals, particularly among Tai communities residing in the Mekong Basin in northeastern Thailand. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 50 key informants, including folk healers, shamans, ritual participants, weavers, and members of communities that actively maintain and practice the traditions or rituals of spirit worship. Additionally, participant observations were conducted to gather firsthand data and insights.The study found that the ritual of spirit worship remains a vital and enduring tradition in Tai communities in Thailand. These rituals are typically performed during the third and fourth months of the Tai lunar calendar. Woven textiles play an indispensable role in the ceremonies, serving as essential components of the offering rite costumes. They reflect the hierarchical structure and the supernatural roles in the ritual, act as intermediaries between humans and mystical powers, serve as omens or symbols, and represent fertility and prosperity within the community.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
© 2018 by Asian Journal of Arts and Culture, Walailak University. All rights reserved.
References
Amantea F. (2007). Dress and Identity among the Black Tai of Loei Province, Thailand [Master’s Thesis, Simon Fraser University].
Chapoo, L. (2013). Ghost rite: Life supporter of Cambodia at Hua Samrong, Plaengyao District, Chachengsao Province. Journal of Liberal Arts Maejo University, 1(1), 106-125.
Choomponla, D. (2006). Buddhism Culture in the way of life in Thailand Mekong. Center for the Promotion of National Strength on Moral Ethics and Values.
Convey, S. (2017). Textiles and supernatural power: A Tai belief system. Journal of Burma Studies, Northern Illinois University, 21(2), 365-394.
Itdhiphol, A. (2015). The usage of soul recalling from speech acts of Phu-Thai shamens in therapeutic ceremonies. Journal of Humanities Naresuan University, 12(2), 93-106.
Nakhonchai, P. (1995). The Yao rite of the Phu-Thai people in Tambon Non Yang, Amphoe Nong Sung, Mukdahan [Master’s thesis, Mahasarakham University].
Sujachaya, S. (2018). Who is Isaan? What researchers should know. At the National Faith Symposium on Telling legends and ethnicities in the Mekong Basin. 11-12 February 2016, Maha Vajiralongkorn Auditorium Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University by the Viwat Thai International Studies Project for the Development of Thai Society (ZENITS) Institute of Thai Studies Chulalongkorn University and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University.
Swasrath, N. (2019). Cultural geography: The Civilization Route and Connection of Buddhism in Mekong Region. Journal of MCU Nakhondhat, 6(10), 5717-5732.
Tangtavonsirikun, C. (1998). Symbolism of Lao textiles. The Thailand Research Fund (TRF). The Foundation for the Promotion of Social Sciences & Humanities Textbooks.
The Research Institute of Northeastern Arts and Culture Mahasarakham University. (2019). Patterns Textiles. The Research Institute of Northeastern Arts and Culture Mahasarakham University.
Vallibhotama, S. (2005). Iron, “Revolutionary Metal” 2,500 years ago. Iron Age in Thailand: Technological and Social Development. Matichon Press.
Wannamas, S. (1991). Isan Textile. Odeon store Press.
Wongsiriab, A. and Nonthapot, S. (2022). The Use and Transmission of Traditional Beliefs for Environmental Conservation in the Bueng Khong Long Wetland, Thailand. Journal of Mekong Societies,18(1), 103-124.
Interview
Khamsong, T. (2023, March 20). Personal communication [personal interview].
Inthaprom, S. (2023, March 17). Personal communication [personal interview].