Artifacts

What: A spirit house from Bang Saen, Thailand\nWhere to find it: Exhibit in "Thoughts, Things, and Theories...What is Culture?" at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures\nWhy you should care: A spirit house is believed to provide a place for a person's khwan -- the part of the soul that keeps its identity from one life to the next, and which resides in a tree or spirit house associated with its former home when between mortal lives. Another aspect of a human's soul, called phii, also takes up residence in the spirit house and is appealed to for protection and blessing. Other spirits, connected to the land itself, are guardian angels of fire, earth, water, and vegetation. \nThought to be the original owners of the land, they can protect the current inhabitants from these forces. All these spirits are honored (or appeased) by offerings placed in the spirit house. The garlands, ribbon and soda bottle displayed here are typical of such gifts. These practices are very widespread in central Thailand, found in both urban and rural settings, among people of all economic classes, social groups and professions.