the Guardian Spirit Ritual of Lau,Mae Hong Son Province

1987 – A Lua man is making a ta laew symbol, believed to offer protection from evil. Such ta laew are inserted into the ground near the entrance to every household. During the guardian spirit ritual it is forbidden to enter the village for three days and three nights, and during this time the ta laew demarcates the boundary of the ritual area and protects against evil.

the Guardian Spirit Ritual of Lau,Mae Hong Son Province

1987 – A Lua man is making a ta laew symbol, believed to offer protection from evil. Such ta laew are inserted into the ground near the entrance to every household. During the guardian spirit ritual it is forbidden to enter the village for three days and three nights, and during this time the ta laew demarcates the boundary of the ritual area and protects against evil.

the Guardian Spirit Ritual of Lau,Mae Hong Son Province

1987 – A sign to show that the area is inhabited by guardian spirits. The Lua believe that spirits live everywhere.

the Guardian Spirit Ritual of Lau,Mae Hong Son Province

1987 – A small spirit house beside a house. Spirit houses are located in several places, and ‘stair spirit’ houses are typically found at the foot of the stairs, beside stairs, over stairs and in front of stairs.

the Guardian Spirit Ritual of Lau,Mae Hong Son Province

1987 – A fireplace inside a house. There is only one room in a Lua house and the fireplace is in the middle.

the Guardian Spirit Ritual of Lau,Mae Hong Son Province

1987 – A fireplace inside a house. There is only one room in a Lua house and the fireplace is in the middle.

the Guardian Spirit Ritual of Lau,Mae Hong Son Province

1987 – On the night before a ritual is conducted, elderly people will meet to drink and discuss preparations for the ritual, their various problems, how to purchase cattle and the price of cattle. Children sit around listening.

the Guardian Spirit Ritual of Lau,Mae Hong Son Province

1987 – On the night before a ritual is conducted, elderly people will meet to drink and discuss preparations for the ritual, their various problems, how to purchase cattle and the price of cattle. Children sit around listening.