Mai Xiong - Week 3
In the Karen Fjelstad and Lisa Maiffret’s reading, their research focused on Silicon Valley and the journeys of Vietnamese people becoming mediums. Reading the stories and experiences mentioned, such as the story of Jenny and her mother, Co Hong, to the story of Co Nga and her son, I found many similarities in the practices and beliefs within my family’s practices and beliefs of Hmong Shamanism. An example of this is when Co Nga asks the spirits for a favor that her son receives financial support from Social Security. My father and mother frequently practice this as well. When I am taking a big test or applying for a scholarship, my mother would often light about three incense sticks, place them on the container filled with rice, and say some words. The words typically flow like a chant, almost musically, and ends with something like “if this (the favor) happens then we will continue to feed you.” I do not have much knowledge on how other mediums practices or converse with the spirit realm, after reading this piece, I realize how much in common Hmong Shamanisms and the Vietnamese practice and beliefs of Tu Phu spirits are similar.
One question I have is, I think spiritual causes can influence people’s physical and emotional experiences, but where does one draw the line between whether something is happening because of spirits or because of actual physical or emotional experiences in the body?
Audio:
HAIB: A Shaman Podcast Playlist
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