A Shaman's Ritual Tools

Finger bells and split horns on altar.  Photo by Koua Her.

Shaman Lia Moua explained the ritual instruments or tools that Hmong shamans need during a trance in order to conduct ua neeb healing ceremonies involving the spiritual world. 

Tus txiab neeb yog coj los khav ntsuj. 

Txwm kum ces kov los hu nplig. The set of split horns are needed to call the spirit.

Lub nruas neeb cov los ntaus kom dab hnov ces tshais khiav mus. The gong is used so that when the bad spirits hear it, they will go away and not bother the shaman.

Rab ntaj neeb cov los yuam kom dab khiav thiab tua pov tseg. The sword is used as a defense tool to use for bad spirits that come in his or her way.

Luv rooj neeb yog tus nees neeb caij thiab mus taus. The long wooden bench that the shaman sits on represents a horse which she or he rides to go to the other world. 

Ob lub tswb neeb yog ob lub fwj huaj es thiaj mus tau. The two or four fingerbells symbolize power and are needed in order to begin the trance. 

Each instrument is needed in order for the shamans to successfully go to the spirit world. Without one of them or a mistake in setting up the tools, a shaman cannot go because his or her spiritual healers won't be able to guide them through the ceremony.