The Chanting Text in The Funeral of The Ethnic Taidum in Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Beliefs, Traditions, Rituals and Meanings

Abstract

The research on the chanting text in the funeral of the ethnic Taidum in Lao People’s
Democratic Republic: Beliefs, Traditions, Rituals and Meanings aimed to study the cultural
dimension in terms of beliefs, traditions, rituals and meanings of the chanting texts. The study found
that the chanting texts implies praise of the deceased, gratefulness and mourning. It was believed
that the ritual had to be properly performed according to the tradition. Otherwise, the misfortune
would happen. The study also found that there were widely held beliefs. Taen or heavenly god was
the one who gave life to humans and animals. Spirits and humans had to avoid doing things together
as doing so could lead to illness and death of humans. It was believed that someone had to tell the
dead that they had departed this world. Taidum ethnic tribe believed that the illness the person
suffered happened because ‘Khuan or soul’ left a body and never returned. A nightmare or bad dream
indicated a misfortune. In the ritual, the signification in other aspects found. The ritual explained
the role played by men and women in the family. It explained illness treatment method in the past.
In addition, the ritual symbolized or explained the following: a concept on Khuan, betel chewing of
the local folks, a route record by ancestors, nostalgia, an ideal town of the ethnic group, reverence
and fear for the protector gods, the afterlife world, love and bond of the family.