Spirits in the loom
Subtitle: religion and design in Lao-Tai textiles
By: Ellison Banks Findly with contributions by Patricia Cheesman, Eric Crystal, and Peter Whittlesey
Series: Studies in the material cultures of Southeast Asia -- no. 19
Publisher: White Lotus Press
Published: 2014
Place of publication: Bangkok, Thailand
Language: eng
Number of pages: 264
ISBN-13: 9789748434773
Copyright date: 2014
Subjects: Textile fabrics; Textile design; Weavers; Buddhist textile fabrics; Lao (Tai people); Social life and customs; Religion in art
Description: "The first study of Lao-Tai textiles to focus specifically on the relation between the figural designs of the textiles and their religious meaning and use. Based primarily on interviews with weavers and shamans from Hua Phan province, Laos, this study highlights the layered meanings of design elements and their roles in providing protection and power both in everyday life and in ritual performance. Using rich data from shamans' narratives about their trance experiences, the author provides first-hand insight into how shamanic visions shape the visual appearance of a ritual textile."--Page [4] of cover.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 254-256) and index.