Lái — Shaman — Giáy Ethnic Group
The Story of a Shaman from Northern Vietnam
“I am a fourth-generation shaman. My father is a shaman as well. I started to learn when I was 15.”
“It is not easy becoming a shaman. It’s easier to learn Vietnamese than this (ancient) writing. I learned from my dad and another shaman. I don’t like learning from my dad much. It’s not as interesting”
“A shaman has to have tools to work. Many tools! All old objects. These are passed down from my great grandfather. I also have a shaman shirt. I am just allowed to wear it during worship.”
“These old pictures are arranged in 2 sets. One is for funeral and the other one is for good luck, happiness, prosperity, and longevity. No one can make drawings like these anymore. I tried once but it doesn’t look the same.”
“These are the three brothers. When we burn this paper, the 3 brothers will deliver it to the underground god. When a person passes away, I have to read this paper, read all the property e.g. cows, buffalo, ducks, pigs… very long. It takes me one day to write it. For a funeral, I have to prepare 2 pieces of paper. The paper is to define the dead person’s property.”
Lái, 44 years old
Shaman — Giáy Ethnic Group
Ha Giang, Vietnam (Northern Vietnam)
When a person passes away, I have to read this paper, read all the property e.g. cows, buffalo, ducks, pigs… very long. It takes me one day to write it. For a funeral, I have to prepare 2 pieces of paper. The paper is to define the dead person’s property.”
“These are the three brothers. When we burn this paper, the 3 brothers will deliver it to the underground god.”
“A shaman has to have tools to work. Many tools! All old objects. These are passed down from my great grandfather.”
“No one can make drawings like these anymore. I tried once but it doesn’t look the same.”
Lái lives in a small traditional village on the side of a mountain, surrounded by rice terraces in Ha Giang, Vietnam.
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