A Laven spirit house for missing soldier in Attapu Province

Photographer

Sage, William

Date

• 1970

Summary

• When the body of a deceased Laven person can not be returned to his home village, or if the body is never retrieved, a spirit house is constructed on the outer edge of the village. Spirit houses were commonly constructed when soldiers failed to return home. Small, personal belongs of the deceased are placed inside the spirit house, and several times a year rice and hard boiled eggs are placed near the house so that the spirits can be welcomed and fed, thereby taking good care of the soul of the deceased. This spirit house in Attapu Province was constructed for a soldier medic who went missing. On the ground beneath the spirit house is a chair, fishing and rice baskets, and a small rice wine jar. Written in Lao on the side of the house is the soldier's name and rank, Red Crosses to indicate he was a Royal Lao Army medic, year, and his age (39).