Erik Nilsson

Waves of Change: Traditional Religion Among the Urak Lawoi, Sea Nomads of Ko Lanta Thailand Erik Nilsson

Urak Lawoi is the name of one of the sea nomadic ethnic groups who lives along the shores of the Andaman Sea. The island of Ko Lanta in Thailand is the main settlement. Ural Lawoi is regarded as the indigenous people and they live there as a minority with Muslims and Thai-Chinese. The traditional religion of Urak Lawoi is built upon the animistic belief of their ancestors. The family bonds are strong and the elders play an important role in life and after death. For the living it is important to do the rituals and ceremonies in the right way to obtain good luck and avoid bad luck. In the last 20 years Ko Lanta has experienced a tremendous process of change caused by the increasing tourism. The modern society with money economy, new technical solutions and a rationalized large-scale fishing has rapidly changed their way of life. The tsunami catastrophe, and the following attention from help organizations and missionary activities, has escalated the process. The traditional religion and culture of the Urak Lawoi is still present on the island but it is declining and changing under the influence of the constant pressure from other interests.