Childbirth and Tradition in Northeast Thailand: Forty Years of Development and Cultural Change (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9788776940034)

This beautifully illustrated volume offers a rare study of Isan-Thai customs and beliefs associated with pregnancy and birth and how they have changed over almost half a century. Using a psychological and socio-therapeutic framework, Anders Poulsen discusses the function of various birth rites while giving an unmatched description of all traditions specifically connected to pregnancy and birth. He includes an interesting description of the tradition of confinement by fire (yuu fai) and documents that it is still widely practiced, contrary to what has been reported. He also puts forward a theory of why some traditions maintain their importance while others fade away. The findings of this study are supported by the transcription in Isan (and translated in to English) of the ritual texts that are used in these rites.

Author: Anders Poulsen
ISBN-10: 8776940039
ISBN-13: 9788776940034
Publisher: Nordic Institute of Asian Studies
Language: English
Published: 07/01/2007
Pages: 240
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.94lbs
Size: 9.05h x 8.92w x 0.79d