DANCING FOR THE GODS: THE ENDANGERED SPIRIT LINEAGE OF NORA DANCE IN SOUTHERN THAILAND (VOL.2)

Guelden, Marlane; Dancing for The Gods, Volume 2: The Endangered Spirit Lineage of Nora Dance in Southern Thailand tells the back story of a centuries-old Nora (Manora) lineage, famous in the South for its spirit possession and loud, colorful dance-drama. It is considered the basis of ancient Thai classical dance. Using never before translated Thai sources, Dr. Marlane Gurlden does a deep dive into history, rituals, Buddhism, spirit mediums, and gender to investigate the staying power of this tenacious religious community and answer the question: “Why has it survived?”