Lao Animist Woven Textiles – (article #2) / Yarns

Silk or cotton yarns is an article which Lao Animist take serious about.  The yarns is used in different ceremonies; the yarns is to tie the spirit to one body, or to cut them apart to separate the connection of spirit of a couple who live in different world,  which one is deceased and the others is still alive. The picture below is taken from the ceremony called “Tum Ming, Tum Naen”, means “Correcting the Spirit”. This ceremony is conducted when one person has his or her spirit left their body and they fall sick. The silk yarns is tied onto the banana tree, people believes a banana tree is a house of one of spirit. Therefore the Shaman will invite the spirit of sick person to come and stay at the tree, after the spirit get into the tree, the Shaman will tie the yarns around to protect the spirit not to escape anymore.