010_KhehNawt_NKP30042012

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010_KhehNawt_NKP30042012

Session Information

Session Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/2196/00-0000-0000-0012-C731-0

Title: 010_KhehNawt_NKP30042012

Description: There are different levels of ritual performances. Among them, Kheh Naut is the highest ritual performance surpassing Khun Naut, Khun Shao,Khun Woat, Khun Ar, and Khun Yu. Kheh Naut must be celebrated over three days. At least three, but sometimes up to six shamans are requiredto conduct this ritual. The head shaman must remain indoors for the entire time and may not leave his temporary tent. All helper shamen cannotenter the tent but must stay close at hand to offer assistance if needed.In this interview, the shaman explains that he no longer possess a Bow, the ritual necklace made of bells, tiger claws, crocodile teeth, and bearteeth that is needed to conduct Kheh Naut. He explains that he learned the ceremony from his uncle who had a Bow but unfortunately this Bowwas stolen by a Buddhist monk so he is not able to perform this highest of ceremonies. The interviewer is trying to persuade the shaman to makea new Bow for himself so he can conduct the Kheh Nawt performance. The shaman explains that in order to make a Bow and conduct theceremony, he needs to get the agreement of his first cousins from his father’s side. In addition to agreeing to make a new Bow, the cousinswould be required to accompany him every time a Kheh Nawt performance is conducted. He explains that all his cousins and brothers haveconverted to Christianity or Buddhism so they would not agree to make a new Bow. Because he has never conducted this performance as thehead shaman before, and because he cannot get the support of his family members, he is very hesitant to agree. The team continues to encouragehim to chant the words without performing the actual ceremony. He finally agrees to demonstrate a very small portion of the ceremonial chants.However, the full complement of chants still only represents 20% of the entire ceremony. He demonstrates some partial chanting, but he washesitant and clearly nervous. Later, he told the interviewer that during the next night he had a long dream in which he communicated with thespirits.During Kheh Nawt performance there is special dance performance called Shaloi, during which the shaman wears a peacock feather on his head.Shaloi is best translated into “the hero’s dance.” During the dance, a wild ox is sacrificed, while at the same time, the assistants to the shamanplay cymbals loudly, blow on a buffalo horns, play flutes, and beat drums to accompany his ceremonial Shaloi dance.

Date created: 2015-12-17