Waiting Spirits Photo

Photographer’s Note

A family of spirits dancers waits in the gathering gloom beside the Muan River, in Dan Sai., a remote village in the mountains of Loie, on the boarder with Laos. In their annual festival, Pi Ta Khon (Spirits through the eyes of men). The dancers become inhabited by the spirits and dance and romp through the streets for a day and a night.
They are waiting for the powerful spirit medium, the Jow Paw Duan, to lead the ceremony calling up the spirits to enter the village. This ceremony is performed here on the river bank.. I suspect that this is a father with his two sons, the youngest, too young to take part, but still wanting to come along. This is one of the many ancient Laotian fertility festivals, but here in this village it has taken a special form with their tradition of ghost masks and spirit dances.

Tayon, dareco, snunney, siolaw has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Tayon (1840) 2008-08-05 4:28

hi Kevin

a colorful image with very good details on the clothes...

well done.

Taba

Morac (20843) 2008-08-05 5:07

Hello Kevin,
As in all these photographs of dance of the spirits: colors of the clothes of the dancers, as the colors of the masks are superb.
Interesting note like always.

Amicalement

Marc

dareco (17104) 2008-08-05 15:37

A picture filled with beautiful and vibrant colors!! I enjoy seeing the costumes, and the note is very informative. Another very nice one! TFS and have a happy day!

snunney (35464) 2008-08-06 7:12

Hello Kevin,
A good capture of these colourful costumes. The man's strong definitive pose adds to the mood whilst the little boy half hidden brings a touch of levity. Very good clarity. Well observed and executed.

dip (12844) 2008-08-11 12:42

Hi Kevin,
beautiful and interesting scene,
colorful with good quality,
well done!
Greetings,
Dimitris.

trekks (14334) 2008-08-11 18:15

hi Kevin

This is a fine post for TE. A nice candid portrait shot of daily life with colorful dress code and you gave a great informative note.

tfs, bill

siolaw (25830) 2008-08-12 23:16

Hi Kevin,
I like this candid shot in which they dont seem to care about the camera wielding Farang! A very colorful scene, but these people's mood is quite low calory! I also like the blurred BG ...
Greetings
Laurent

thaprem (2498) 2009-09-08 1:33

Kevin I some how I find this very poetic... In spite of the turned face of the elder man, the child some how gives an sir of warmth & subtle simplicity.
Thanks,
Prem.