Publication Date

1999

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Russell, Susan D.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Anthropology

LCSH

Spirits; Rites and ceremonies--Thailand; Northeastern; Thailand; Northeastern--Religious life and customs; Thailand; Northeastern--Religion

Abstract

Spirit intermediaries, as opposed to spirit mediums, are a critical part of ritual practice in northeast Thailand, yet their significance has rarely been acknowledged by anthropologists. This thesis provides an in-depth description of how spirit intermediaries take precedence in the cult of the guardian spirits in the fishing village of Pakyam and relates the uniqueness of ritual practice in this settlement to gendered political and economic roles as well as ethnic and occupational heterogeneity. The historical transcendence of two guardian spirits in this village illustrates the way in which local ritual practice responds flexibly to changing political, ethnic, and economic circumstances over time.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [108]-113)

Extent

x, 117 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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