Laos: Ethnic Nyahuen villagers gather for a buffalo sacrifice ceremony in 1902.

The Nyahuen or Hyanon are a Mon-Khmer ethnic group of about 5,000 persons who inhabit about 30 villages in Champasak province in southern Laos. The Nyahuen are strongly animist with spirits and shamans being consulted for virtually every decision. The Nyahon believe each person has seven different souls. They especially revere a spirit called 'Brrah'. Other spirits of nature include the spirit of trees, water, rice fields, thunder and mountains. Shamans, or spirit priests, conduct regular ceremonies where they make sacrifices and offer up prayers to protective spirits. Offended spirits are identified by a ritual involving rice and the organs of a chicken. Special ceremonies are held in the event of a natural disaster or epidemic.

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