(Baonghean.vn) - Despite the cultural exchange brought about by modern life, the Thai ethnic group in western Nghe An still preserves many unique traditional customs and practices. Among them is the custom of "páng cứu" - which means redeeming the soul.
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| The ritual of redeeming souls is not only for the dead but also for the living, especially children. According to belief, children often like to play, and if they are born at an inauspicious time, they are easily captured by vengeful spirits. Once captured, children often become ill and fussy, requiring parents to perform a ritual to redeem their child's soul. (Photo: Dinh Tuan) |
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| The ritual of redeeming a child's soul is usually held outdoors. Beforehand, to redeem the child's soul, parents bring the child's clothes to the shaman's house so the shaman can determine which spirit has possessed the child and what that spirit demands. If the spirit demands dog meat, they prepare dog meat; if it demands chicken, they prepare chicken; if it wants duck, they prepare duck... to offer as a sacrifice to redeem the soul. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| The "pang redemption" ritual has four steps: First, the spirits are invited; second, the spirits are invited to partake in a feast; after the spirits have finished their meal, the shaman asks to redeem the child's soul; and finally, the shaman will drive the spirits away. (Photo: Dinh Tuan) |
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| Besides dog or chicken meat offered to the spirits, the offerings to redeem the soul also include two pieces of white cloth, two silver ingots, two silver bracelets, and eight betel leaves. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| For the people in mountainous areas, shamans still play a crucial role in their religious and spiritual lives. Shamans act as a "bridge" between the supernatural and humans. The photo shows shaman Vi Dinh Hong, from Phong Thach Giam village (Tuong Duong district), escorting the soul of a child back to the family after completing an outdoor ritual. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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Upon returning home, the shaman reports to the household spirits and performs a ritual to ward off evil spirits for the entire family. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| The offering tray includes two boiled chickens, two cups of water, two cups of wine, two eggs, and symbolic money. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| The child is being "redeemed" by the shaman in the arms of the crowd. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| During the ritual of bringing the soul back, the shaman will tie a thread around the wrist of the child whose soul has just been redeemed, hoping for the child's good health and the disappearance of all illnesses. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| When the work is finished, the family gathers around the dinner table. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
Dinh Tuan
