Mysterious objects of Thai shaman in Nghe An

Shaman Vi Van Quynh in costume and weapons during the ceremony. Photo: Xuan Thuy

Shamans play an important role in the spiritual life of the Thai people in Nghe An. Shamans are considered the "bridge" between the supernatural and humans.

Recently, we met shaman Vi Van Quynh (1946) in Khe Sai 2 village, Nghia Loc commune (Nghia Dan) and he allowed us to learn about the tools he has been carrying for nearly 30 years. The Thai people have two branches called "mo mot" and "mo mon" (mo mun).

The shaman specializes in determining good and bad times, laying house foundations, weddings, calling souls, and exorcising evil spirits that cause children to cry... When performing a ceremony, the shaman always carries a bag containing the necessary items for the ceremony.

Before the ceremony, the shaman wears a white scarf called “phai chuac chang” (elephant-tying rope) on his head. When wearing this rope, the shaman is believed to have the power to tie elephants. This is also the costume for the supernatural to recognize that this is the shaman, the person who acts as a bridge in the ceremony. On the offering tray, there is always a white cloth called “phen hoong khai”, this cloth is spread on the tray and then the offerings are placed on top.

The "elephant rope" that the shaman often ties on his head during the ceremony. Photo: Xuan Thuy

Whenever sitting to perform a ceremony, the shaman always waves a fan (bi mo) in his hand to ward off other people from coming near, as well as to ward off evil spirits during the ceremony. The fan is made of paper and bamboo. On the fan are lines of words that only the shaman knows the meaning.

The magic fan of shaman Vi Van Quynh. Photo: Xuan Thuy

At the beginning of the ceremony, the shaman will put a red "me mot" scarf around his neck. This scarf is said to have been left by the shaman's grandmother.

In the bag, there are also many small cups, each cup represents a shaman's teacher and a separate cup for the shaman himself. This is a way for the shaman to remember and be grateful for the merits of the "po khu" (teachers) who taught and passed on the knowledge to him.

In the photo, Mr. Quynh has 4 people "serving" with 4 cups and one of his cups. Photo: Xuan Thuy

In the bag there were also two silver bracelets, two yin-yang coins and beeswax. The two silver bracelets were like talismans, the two yin-yang coins were to ask the supernatural to agree or disagree, and the beeswax was used to make arrows to shoot demons and to make candles to light on the altar.

He also brought with him a flute (pi mot) made of bamboo that had a deep sound, and the shaman carved elaborate patterns on the flute. The sound of the flute was used to chase away evil spirits and call the soul back to the body in rituals.

The sword is a symbol of authority, strength and bravery of the shaman. The sword is often passed down by shamans to their students. Photo: Xuan Thuy

In addition, the shaman also carries a sword called “lap mun”. The sword is passed down from the master to his main student through the generations. The shaman’s sword is usually forged from steel and has patterns printed on it. The hilt is made of wood carved into the shape of a tiger’s head, the scabbard is made of po mu wood carved with dragon and phoenix images. The sword is used to threaten and ward off evil spirits, demonstrating the authority, strength and bravery of the shaman.

All the tools were put into a bag by Mr. Vi Van Quynh and hung on the altar in the house. The altar was placed solemnly in the high corner of the room, with a bottle of wine, a towel, a shaman's sword and the clothes of those he had performed ceremonies for. Next to the altar was a bronze gong, every time someone came to call him, he had to strike the gong 9 times 3 times and then chant a mantra before he could take the bag to perform the ceremony.