Zoua Nikki Thao - Week 2
Throughout my life, I have met a handful of spirit healers/shamans. Growing up in a mixed-cultured background of being Mien and Hmong, I was able to experience both the similarities and differences between these two ethnic groups and how they practiced animism in their own ways. Over the years, I've come to learn that the practice of shamanism is not specific only to the Southeast Asian region, but is popular among Indigenous populations, and now I continue to learn about other people groups who practice it as well. This week's readings allow me to see how Koreans practice shamanism, how spirit healers view what they do and a deeper understanding of Hmong shamanism.
I want to discuss more about Pa Lor's story as it resonates more with me. Although learning about Korean shamanistic practices and how spirit healers positively benefit from their "jobs", it was fascinating to read about a Hmong woman's shaman journey. I say this because I have never met or seen a woman shaman, and I believe this is something that has only become fairly prevalent today. I believe that Lor said something that made a lot of sense, "culture is changing and shamanism will change to accommodate it" (pg. 4). I say this because I think woman shamans are a testament of cultural change.
When I read these three readings, they all emphasized how religion is a crucial aspect of culture. It often seems as if religion is synonymous to one's culture, meaning that to practice shamanism is to be Mien or Hmong as to be Mien or Hmong is to practice shamanism. However, I was raised Christian and still am Christian today. A question I have is, what does it look like to engage in the shamanistic world while still firmly holding onto my Christian beliefs?
Sources:
https://suzukiassociation.org/news/songs-memory-music-golden-triangle/
"The Pa Lor Story - The Journey between Two Worlds." 2009. California Asian Directory. 05 Apr. 2017.
Karen Fjelstad and Lisa Maiffret. “Gifts from the Spirits: Spirit Possession and Personal Transformation among Silicon Valley Spirit Mediums.” Cornell Southeast Asia Program 2006.
I want to discuss more about Pa Lor's story as it resonates more with me. Although learning about Korean shamanistic practices and how spirit healers positively benefit from their "jobs", it was fascinating to read about a Hmong woman's shaman journey. I say this because I have never met or seen a woman shaman, and I believe this is something that has only become fairly prevalent today. I believe that Lor said something that made a lot of sense, "culture is changing and shamanism will change to accommodate it" (pg. 4). I say this because I think woman shamans are a testament of cultural change.
When I read these three readings, they all emphasized how religion is a crucial aspect of culture. It often seems as if religion is synonymous to one's culture, meaning that to practice shamanism is to be Mien or Hmong as to be Mien or Hmong is to practice shamanism. However, I was raised Christian and still am Christian today. A question I have is, what does it look like to engage in the shamanistic world while still firmly holding onto my Christian beliefs?
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| A Mien Shaman in Thailand |
Sources:
https://suzukiassociation.org/news/songs-memory-music-golden-triangle/
"The Pa Lor Story - The Journey between Two Worlds." 2009. California Asian Directory. 05 Apr. 2017.
Karen Fjelstad and Lisa Maiffret. “Gifts from the Spirits: Spirit Possession and Personal Transformation among Silicon Valley Spirit Mediums.” Cornell Southeast Asia Program 2006.
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