We've left Chiang Dao and the orpanage. Back to Chiang Mai for a few days before heading to Bangkok and then off to India. I've been trying to do a photo essay of the spirit houses that are common here in the north part of Thailand. Most of the people here are Buddhists, but also are deeply attached to their Animist roots. In Anamism, people believe that everything has a spirit and that the spirits - both good and mischevious - come to visit your home. So outside of most homes they build a small spirit house and furnish it with tokens, coins, food and even furniture, so that the spirits will reside there instead of in their homes. Sometimes these spirit houses are just twigs and sticks in the shape of a little home, but more often they are intricately decorated with gilt, peaked roofs, little inset mirrors and figurines. Bowls of food and flowers are set there daily.
When we were at the Chiang Mai Night Market last week, I noticed that there were small bowls with food set down near the bottom of some of the stalls. Since then I have found out that these offerings are also to appease the spirits. This deep belief in the spirits can also be seen in the forest. When we were hiking the nature trail, we found large trees with ribbons tied around them. The ribbons were put there to please the female spirits that live in the trees. Many of the Buddhist monks have Anamist tatoos across their backs and chests, easy to see as the saffron robes they wear don't cover one shoulder. Dee, Alex's Thai girlfriend, says that the belief is that the spirit and characteristics of whatever animal you tatoo on your body will enter you and protect and sustain you.
I would like to read more about Anamism. There's a bookstore near the Baan we are staying in and I may try to find a book.
M
When we were at the Chiang Mai Night Market last week, I noticed that there were small bowls with food set down near the bottom of some of the stalls. Since then I have found out that these offerings are also to appease the spirits. This deep belief in the spirits can also be seen in the forest. When we were hiking the nature trail, we found large trees with ribbons tied around them. The ribbons were put there to please the female spirits that live in the trees. Many of the Buddhist monks have Anamist tatoos across their backs and chests, easy to see as the saffron robes they wear don't cover one shoulder. Dee, Alex's Thai girlfriend, says that the belief is that the spirit and characteristics of whatever animal you tatoo on your body will enter you and protect and sustain you.
I would like to read more about Anamism. There's a bookstore near the Baan we are staying in and I may try to find a book.
M
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