Spirit mediumship in Thailand [Elektronische Ressource] : a performance theory approach / R. Patamajorn

Sujets

• Parapsychologie
• Soziologie

Informations

• Publié par: ruprecht-karls-universitat_heidelberg
• Publié le: 01 janvier 2008
• Nombre de lectures: 24
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Spirit Mediumship in Thailand



A Performance Theory Approach









R. Patamajorn SPIRIT MEDIUMSHIP IN THAILAND

A Performance Theory Approach










































R. Patamajorn SPIRIT MEDIUMSHIP IN THAILAND

A Performance Theory Approach





A Thesis Submitted to

The Institute for Ethnology

Faculty of Behavioural and Cultural Studies

The University of Heidelberg

For The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Under The Supervision and Guidance of

Professor Dr. Klaus-Peter Köpping



By

R. Patamajorn (M.A. Sociology, M.A. Anthropology)



August 2007





iv
Contents

Preface……………………………………………………………………... viii
Introduction………………………………………………………………… 1


Part I
Theoretical Considerations

Chapter 1 Theoretical Issues……………………………………………… 16
1.1 Performance Theories ………………………………………………... 16
1.2 Spirit Possession……………………………………………………… 21
1.3 Gender Theories………………………………………………………. 25
1.4 Ethnicity………………………………………………………………. 29

Chapter 2 The Discussion of Spirit Mediumship Studies………………….. 34
2.1 General theoretical discussion………………………………………….. 34
2.2 Thai Possession Studies………………………………………………… 39
2.3 Comparative Summary of General Studies and Thai Cases……………. 44

Part II
The General Phenomena

Chapter 3 The Spirit Medium in Thai Society…………………………… 48
3.1 The History of Spirit Medium………………………………………… 48
3.2 Spirits and Séances ……………………… ………………………….. 55
3.3 Spirit possession in the Context of Social and Cultural Change……… 61

Chapter 4 The Phenomenon of Spirit Mediumship in Amphoe Muang Nakhon
Pathom Province………………………………………………………. 66

Part III
Theoretical Summary of Specific Case Studies

Chapter 5 The Case Study Approach………………………………........... 80
5.1 How to become a spirit medium………………………………………. 80 v
5.2 Biography…………………………………………………………….. 95

Chapter 6 Spirit Medium in Ritual Action……………………………… 108
6.1 How to be a Successful Spirit Medium……………………… 108
6.1.2 Essential Factors…………………………………………… 108
6.1.2.1 Ability of Performance…………………………………… 109
6.1.2.1.1 Feature of Performance: The Depiction of Each Case Study 109
6.1.2.1.2 Comparison of the Similarities and Differences in Specific
Case Studies………………………………………………………….. 127
A. Type of god or “Tep”……………………………………. 127
B. Ritual Location and Set Up……………………………… 127
C. Appearance………………………………………………. 130
D. Manner: Behavioural Changes……………………………. 130
E. Calling: Entering Possession……………………………... 132
F. Clients…………………………………………………….. 133
G. Assistant …………………………………………………. 134
H. Reasons for Ritual Sessions……………………………….. 135
- Annual Ceremony: Wai Khru Ritual………………. 136
- Routine Possession Ritual………………………….. 142
6.1.2.2 Advertisement……………………………………………….. 161

Chapter 7 Possession Ritual and Ethnic Group……………………………… 165
7.1 A Thai Style of Spirit Medium and a Thai Ethnic Group……………. 166
7.2 A Chinese Style Spirit Medium and a Chinese Ethnic Group …….. 167
7.3 To Weld Thai and Chinese Ethnic Groups……………………….. 171

Chapter 8 Spirit Mediumship and Gender……………………………………. 173
8.1 Gender: The Transvestite and Correspondence…………………. 173
8.2 Negotiation Means………………………………………………. 175
8.3 Menstrual Blood and Purity: Inequality between
Males and Females in Ritual Performance…………………………... 179
8.3.1 Meaning and Value…………………………………………….. 179
8.3.2 Pollution and Taboos………………………………………….. 180 vi
8.3.3 Female Status and Oppression………………………………… 182

Conclusion
General Discussion of Cases……………………………………………….. 184
Concluding Remarks on the Specific Case Studies ……………………….. 201
Appendix: Thai Terms Used in the Text.................................................... 206
Bibliography……………………………………………………………….. 210


List of Illustrations

Figures

th1 Announcement: No Spirit Possession among Thai and Chinese Announced on 12
January of Bangkok Era 109…………………………………………… 50
2 Announcement of Metropolitan Constabulary
th Announced on 28 February of Bangkok Era 110………………………. 52
3 Kumara Image…………………………………………………………... 58
4 King Wejsuwan Image…………………………………………………... 60
5 The Blind Female Spirit Medium……………………………………….. 99
6 Sadej Pee Chinnarach’s Tam Nak……………………………………… 111
7 Kuan Ü’s possession service place…………………………………....... 123
8 Picture of Dressing Mode………………………………………………. 125
9 Chinese posterities pray in the spirit medium’s possession room
before the beginning of possession ritual……………………………… 126
10 A nail chair……………………………………………………………... 128
11 A knife chair……………………………………………………………. 129
12 “Joss house” The altar for inviting a god to possess…………………… 138
13 Blessing………………………………………………………………… 140
14 Spirits Dance No.1……………………………………………………. 141
15 Spirits Dance No.2……………………………………………………. 141
16 Healing Ritual…………………………………………………………. 150
17 A Charm of Rolled Cord………………………………………………. 154
18 Charm Fabric No.1…………………………………………………….. 154
19 Charm Fabric No. 2……………………………………………………. 155
20 Climbing a knife ladder………………………………………………... 157
21 Piercing with sharp knifes……………………………………………. 158
22 Cutting the tongue……………………………………………………… 158
23 Magazine about Spirit media………………………………………….. 162
24 Visiting Cards………………………………………………………….. 162
25 Handbill for Advertisement…………………………………………… 163
26 Picture of Prakan Possession (a man in red cloth)……………………. 166



vii
Tables

1 Spirit Media: 38 Cases……………………………………………... 67
2 Styles of Possession............................................................................. 70
3 Gender of Spirit Media……………………………………………. 73
4 Gender of Spirit Media and Their Gods……………………………. 73
5 Education Level of Spirit Media……………………………………. 74
6 Conditions Preceding Initiation........................................................... 74
7 Age at Initiation……………………………………………………... 76
8 Marital Status………………………………………………………..
9 Problems of Clients…………………………………………………. 143
10 The split summary of male and female spirit medium........................ 183
11 Possession Ritual as Technologies of Power and Self ……………… 200

Diagrams

1 Spirit medium’s body……………………………………………….. 25
2 Possession Room of Umadevi………………………………………. 110
3 Sadej Pee Chinnarach’s Service Office…………………………….. 112
4 Possession Room of Sadej Pee Chinnarach………………………… 113
5 Sum Por Khong’s Area……………………………………………… 115
6 The Possession Room of Sum Por Khong………………………….. 116
7 Por Poo Yai’s place…………………………………………………. 119
8 Possession Room of Por Poo Yai…………………………………… 120
9 The Area of Kuan Ü’s Place………………………………………… 122
10 The Possession Room of Kuan Ü………………………………….... 124
11 The diagram of the ritual place… 137
12 The words on charm fabric No.1……………………………………. 155
13 The words on the red charm fabric………………………………….. 156



















viii
Preface

As in a great theater where everybody is an actor, all of them presenting
various types of performance, a chosen group acts as if they were gods or goddesses,
following the traditions of various cultures. Their performances are very popular and
have been demanded by audiences over many years. The audiences are made up of
people who are clients and devotees and the special actors, or spirit media, have
performed for them time and again. The intention of these performances is not for
entertainment like other dramas where actors play a comedy or tragedy organized by
the director of the presentation.

Although sometimes these miraculous performances excite the audiences, the
actors’ main purpose is to convince them that they have sacred gods in their bodies,
are truly possessed and it is not deception. It seems that spirit media attempt to
repudiate the fact that their actions are not drama, however the transformations that