Beliefs and Ritual Practices of Phi Poo Ya Worship: A Case Study of Ban Lao Du, Wiang Nong Long District, Lamphun Province

Abstract

This research aims to examine the beliefs associated with Phi Poo Ya Worship in the community and to study the performance of this ancestral spirit worship ceremony in Ban Lao Du, Wiang Nong Long District, Lamphun Province. This qualitative study employed purposive sampling to select informants, including direct inheritors of the Phi Poo Ya ritual and community members who participate in the ceremony. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and non-participant observation. The findings reveal that the belief in Phi Poo Ya Worship is rooted in the notion that ancestral spirits protect their descendants, ensuring peaceful lives. This ritual is passed down through generations. The annual Phi Poo Ya ceremony is conducted to invoke the protection of ancestral spirits for family members and relatives, serving as a spiritual anchor and providing a sense of security in daily life. Regarding the performance of the Phi Poo Ya ritual, it is conducted by direct inheritors from ancestors. The ritual practitioner prepares offerings and replaces old offerings in the ancestral spirit tray with new ones. During the ceremony, the inheritor prays, requesting the ancestral spirits to acknowledge the offerings and safeguard family members, encouraging them to lead virtuous lives. This ritual also fosters unity and strengthens familial bonds, as all family members return home to participate in the ceremony together.