Meaning Making and the Significance of Nang Kwak in Vietnam
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Abstract
In Vietnam, the demand for spiritual merchandise has surged, with a notable increase in the trade of foreign enchanted items, including those of Nang Kwak, the Thai female spirit or deity associated with wealth and prosperity. Despite seeming out of place in local culture and conflicting with the state’s anti-superstition stance, Nang Kwak is widely traded in Vietnam. This article explores the political economy of Thai enchanted items in Vietnam, focusing on how Nang Kwak’s meanings are perceived and negotiated. It identifies three key frameworks used by sellers to align Nang Kwak with local beliefs: Buddhism, female spirits, and the God of Wealth. The article also discusses how unequal exchanges between buyers and sellers influence Nang Kwak’s spiritual interpretation and highlights how cyberspace serves as a platform for negotiating its perceived superstition.
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