Tools and Usages

My mother, Lia Moua, explained the tools that shamans used during his or her trance. She explained them as a list:

1. Tus txiab neeb yog coj los khav ntsuj. 

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

3. 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.

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

5. Luv rooj neeb yog tus nees neeb caij thiab mus taus. The long wooden chair that the shaman sit on represents a horse. Shamans ride on horses to go to the other world. 

6. 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. 

All of these instruments are needed in order for the shamans to go to the other world. All of the tools here are needed. Without one of them or a mistake in setting up the tools, the shamans cannot go because his or her spritual healers won't be able to guide them through the ceremony.