Beliefs and Symbols in the Spirit Worship Rituals of the Ka Leng Ethnic Group in Nong Sang Subdistrict, Na Kae District, Nakhon Phanom Province

Abstract

This research aims to study the historical background of spirit worship beliefs among the Ka Leng ethnic group in Nong Sang Subdistrict, Na Kae District, Nakhon Phanom Province, and to examine the symbolic meanings embedded in their spirit worship rituals. The study utilized both documentary research and fieldwork data collection, focusing on a target group of 7 key informants, including knowledgeable elders and ritual practitioners, from 6 Ka Leng communities in the study area. The analysis was conducted using the structural-functional theory and the symbolic interactionism theory, while semiotic theory was applied to interpret the symbols present in the spirit worship rituals. The findings are presented through descriptive analysis.

The research reveals that the belief in spirit worship among the Ka Leng people is rooted in ancestral veneration and sacrificial rituals, which have been passed down since their original settlement in Lao PDR. These rituals play a significant role in establishing shared belief systems and communal practices. After the Ka Leng people migrated to Ban Nong Sang in Nong Sang Subdistrict, Na Kae District, Nakhon Phanom Province, the tradition of spirit worship continued, based on the belief that deceased ancestors become benevolent spirits who protect and bless their descendants. The spirit worship rituals for the guardian spirits, known as Pu Ta and Ya Ban, are performed to honor ancestral spirits and seek their blessings for the well-being of the community, as well as for the protection of nature, including forests, mountains, land, and water sources. The rituals incorporate symbolic elements that reflect the sacred nature of these beliefs. The ceremonies take place in special locations considered the dwelling places of ancestral spirits, serving as focal points for faith and reverence. The community's spiritual and emotional bonds with these beliefs are deeply ingrained. A key figure in the rituals is the Kwan Cham, a designated spiritual intermediary with the authority to communicate between the human world and the supernatural realm. The Kwan Cham performs the ceremonies, offers prayers, and presents sacrificial offerings to the ancestral spirits, ensuring their acceptance of the offerings and bestowing blessings upon the Ka Leng descendants and their community.