Book Reviews

Dancing for the Gods

December 2, 2021December 2, 2021 by Leonard H. Le Blanc III

The Nora Bird Dance of Southern Thailand and Dancing for the Gods, Vol. 2:

The endangered spirit lineage of Nora Dance in Southern Thailand by Marlane Guelden.

White Lotus Books, 2018 & 2019, 425 pages & 424 pages. www.seateservices.online

These books are the first comprehensive look at the Nora Bird Dance of Southern Thailand. The author uses many years of cultural anthropological research along with many Thai academic sources and texts that have never been translated in English. She tells a compelling story about the struggle between ancient customs and traditions pitted against encroaching modernity. The Nora Bird Dance is famous for its loud, colourful dance drama and spirit possession. It is an exploration of the ancient Nora (Manora) Buddhist community.

Marlane Guelden does credible service in exploring the real back story of the Nora Bird Dance: the capitalist motives, spirit mediums in their communications with the spirit world and gender tensions. Additionally she digs into the history, ancient and Buddhist traditions and background of the whole very fascinating culture. For anyone interested in ethnic dance, Southern Thai culture and ancient rituals.

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Leonard H. Le Blanc III

The author is the Dean, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement and Professor of Social Sciences and Human Security at the American University of Sovereign Nations, a new on-line, U.S.-based university and also General Manager of SEATE Services. Additionally he is a Contributing Editor of Expat Life in Thailand magazine. Len has written and been a story contributor for TIME Magazine, Literary Editor for the Pattaya Trader magazine and authored four books on Amazon. He has also edited numerous books for the White Lotus Press. He holds nine academic degrees, has travelled extensively and lived all around the world and a retired U.S. Naval Reserve officer. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife Lena, daughter L.J. and son J.L.

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