THE CULTURAL VALUES OF THE MO PROFESSION AMONG THE THAI ETHNIC GROUP IN THAN UYEN DISTRICT, LAI CHAU PROVINCE

Abstract

The
Mo
profession
of
the
Thai
ethnic
group
in
Than
Uyen
district,
Lai
Chau
province,
is
an
intangible
cultural

heritage
of
profound
historical,
spiritual,
aesthetic,
and
cultural
value.
Mo
masters
(spiritual
shamans)
serve
not

only
as
ritual
performers
but
also
as
intermediaries
connecting
humans
with
the
supernatural
world,
thereby

preserving
traditional
values
and
strengthening
the
spiritual
life
of
the
community.
Based
on
ethnographic

f
ieldwork,
in‑depth
interviews,
and
participatory
observations,
this
paper
analyzes
the
Mo
masters'
roles
in

rituals
ranging
from
healing
and
seasonal
festivals
to
funerals
‑
the
latter
being
the
most
complete
reflection
of

their
belief
in
the
afterlife.
In
the
context
of
modernization
and
globalization,
the
Mo
profession
faces
the
risk
of

decline,
yet
remains
a
crucial
link
between
the
past
and
the
present,
and
holds
great
potential
for
cultural
tourism

development.
This
study
affirms
the
significance
of
the
Mo
profession
in
preserving
and
promoting
the
cultural

identity
of
the
Thai
ethnic
group
in
Northwest
Vietnam,
particularly
in
Than
Uyen,
where
the
practice
remains

authentically
preserved
and
indispensable
to
the
community's
spiritual
life.