วันเสาร์ที่ 15 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2554

Life style : Taboo


Don’t drink any alcohols

          Long time ago, there was one Lahu couple, the husband was Ja Wha and the wife named Na Wae who both own the banana orchard. When the harvest time comimg, both husband and wife prepared the banana to offer to god. But on the way they met Ja Wha’s father who begged them for banana. They refused to give their father banana because it was god’s offering then they kept walking. When they reached the god’s dwelling, they told god that “we give you an offering”. Thus the god asked them that “this offering you give to me, Do you give it to your father yet?”. They replied “Not yet” so the god told them to take it back to give to their father first and after that you came and offered me next time. Afterward, they went back and gave the banana to Ja Wha’s father but he did not accept because he was angry that he was refused to eat the banana last time. With anger, Ja Wha’s father threw down the banana to the river. For a long time, that banana brought a smell that caused the animal around that area came to suck the water. Then, there was one man came and drank the water from that river deliciously. On the other hand, after that man arrived home, he felt drunk. It was not surprising why he was drunk, that is because the water turned to be alcohol already. Hence, drinking alcohol was disallowed since then.
Don’t commit larceny
Lahus believed that whoever steals others’ belonging, when they die they will be distressed and get sadness.
Don’t gamble
In the past, there was one god disguised to be 7 humans and played gambling in seven different villages. The disguised god became insolvant because of bet. Thus, the god announced that gambling is bad thing which never gave us peaceful feeling. So, gambling was the taboo of Lahu culture. In contrast, nowadays, because of some financial necessities that make people play bet occasionally.

The punishment of people who break the rules
          People who break all kinds of rules have to be fined more or less depends on their guilts. If the wrong doers have no money for fine, they have to sell their things. In severely case, they may be driven out from the village.
The person who can judge the cases
The older people, the villagers and village headman can judge a case together but the headman will make a final decision. The process of choosing the leader, the villagers will vote for the most appropriate person. Sometimes, the leader will descend from their ancestors but mostly the villagers will accept the vote. The leader will not retire; it depends on their own decision when they want to stop this position. On the other hands, if the headman does the wrong things such as neglect the duties, it is possible to be fired. Nevertheless, everyone in the village must take care and help each other.
Some taboos are using today but others adjust to suit the modern society like nowadays.
http://lahu.hilltribe.org

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