Lao village : ceremony to guard new house from phi (spirits)

Photographer

Halpern, Joel M. (Joel Martin), 1929-

Date

• 1957

Summary

• This offering of rice to the spirits (phi) is made to guard a house from harm. "The houses of the Lao are considered to be sacred places, presided over by a resident spirit (phi heuan) for whom an altar is built near one of the posts. This spirit is frequently consulted and offerings of balls of rice, flowers and candles are left for it" (p. 61 in "Aspects of Village Life and Cultural Change in Laos").