Traditional : Hor Yae

Lahu way of agricultural life depends on natural resources harmoniously not only bountiful soil but also enough water. Lahu culture which attaches with nature reflects in verbal culture. The religious leader always teaches the belivers that “our bone is stone, our flesh is soil, our blood is water, our breath is the air and the warmth in our body is sunshine”. Soil is the best representative of nature which is close to human being.

Place for Rite Every village has their own holy place which is called “Hor Yae”. Lahus respect their ancestors, spirits and Gue Za god which is different from Thai buddhism. Hor Yae is like temple or Wat. From religious belief, Hor Yae is built in the high place near the religious leader house who is called To Bo.

Important Equipment in Hor Yae
The alter ( Ka Pa Tar ) is the sitting place for Gue Za god and the communicative point between the religious leader and god. It is regarded as the most important equipment in holy place. In Hor Yae, there are two wooden birds of god putting in pair. One male bird is called “ Na Na  Bu Ju Ngae”, and another female bird is called “ Na Si Ju Ngue”. It is believed that both of birds belongs to god and it will bring lost courage back. Two birds is laid down together with the divine well called Li De which is filled with water every holy day by the religious leader. There are two holy days in each month; fiftheenth waning moon day and fiftheenth waxing moon day. Therefore, Lahus stop their works in holy days and prepare the offering to worship god at Hor Yar. Then, they dance “Poy Tae Wae” or “Ja Kue” with joy. People believe that the more they dance, the more they get merits.

Religious Leader
To Bo is the religious connector between Gue Za god and villagers. He has a duty in asking for blessing from god and preaching. Furthermore, To Bo has to be responsible for looking after Hor Yae as well. To Bo is the person who has kindness and respect by all villagers. To Bo is chosen by Gue Za god. The aged in community told about the characteristics of To Bo ; that are

To Bo must has kindness and a will to help other people. He gives love to every villager by having no unfair manner. He must have faithfulness towards himself and others by no any kinds of oppression. He must be pure both heart and mind. He does not like to kill animals. To Bo must not get involved with drugs and every kinds of alcohol.

To Bo position depends on Gue Za god’s will. The outsiders may think Lahu’s belief is nonsensical and benighted but in reality, it is useful and valuable belief which descends from their ancestors to be the heritage of their clan. It can be said that in every tribe, Lahu is the most firmly belivers in their religious practice. Lahu people obey the instruction of religious leader. Every fifteenth waning and waxing moon day, people will gather at Hor Yae for ceremonial worship. In the early evening, there is water expiation a sin and in the evening, there is a dance with cheerful moment. http://lahu.hilltribe.org