Tai folk religion
The Tai folk religion, Satsana Phi or Ban Phi is the ancient native ethnic religion of Tai people still practiced by various Tai groups.[3][1] Tai folk religion was dominant among Tai people in Asia until the arrival of Buddhism and Hinduism. It is primarily based on worshipping deities called Phi, Khwan and Ancestors.
Tai Folk Religion
Temples[edit]
The temple in Tai folk religion has various forms and names. Tai Ahom has the system of sacred worship place named Sheng Ruen.[21] Most people pay respect to the deities that reside in temples, who are thought to protect the general vicinity of the temple from harm. These temples are essentially miniature shrines, built to represent the presence of the deity of the shrine, just as a full size shrine is meant to represent such a "presence." Offerings of flowers, incense, and candles are given, and the spirits are consulted during times of change or hardship for protection and assistance. Natural deities include those that reside in trees, mountains, or forests.
Priests[edit]
Mophi[edit]
A class of priests called mophi (mo-phi ໝໍຜີ, หมอผี), "tellers", are locally trained shamans, specialists in the rituals and in communication with their personal angels and gods in general. Using trances, sacred objects imbued with supernatural power, or saksit, possessions, and rituals like lam phi fa (ລຳຜີຟ້າ, ลำผีฟ้า, [lam pʰiː faː]) or baci, the shaman is often consulted during times of trouble, hauntings, and illness or other misfortune that might be caused by malevolent or unhappy spirits. They are also usually present during religious festivals.[22]
Population[edit]
In case of Ahom the three priestly clans (Mo'sam, Mo'hung, Mo'Plong) follow Tai folk religion traditionally.[24] Approximately 30% of the Laos population are followers of Tai folk religion however due to force of the state religion Buddhism in Laos the Tai folk religion is still not recognised properly by the pro-buddhist government.[25] Among the Lao, the Lao Loum and Lao Lom[26] are predominantly Buddhist, while the Lao Theung and Lao Sung are predominantly folk religious. Laotian Buddhism is influenced by Tai folk religion.[27]