Important Religious Places for the Community

 Hoter or Ho-Ja-Ro is the religious centre of the community. The community builds this place when the community is first established. There is only one of these shrines in each community. The Dara-Ang people believe that there is an angel or a god who lives in the shrine and takes care of the villagers. Therefore this place is the heart of the community. The structure is built on four poles and has two floors. Ceremonies are performed on the second floor.

       The people cannot climb onto the Hoter outside the ceremony season or if there is no ceremony. If someone disobeys this rule they must perform a ceremony and apologize immediately. Therefore, Hoter is at the center of the consciousness of the people in the community and is the religious symbol of the community. If people in the community fall ill or have an accident or if there is unrest they will perform a ceremony in this place.However, the ceremonies performed in this place do not follow the original beliefs of the Dara-Ang as they have been influenced by Buddhism. The Monk is one element of Buddhism used in some ceremonies.

       The city gate is built as an entrance to the village and is a strong spiritual symbol. This shrine is often outside the community. The shrine of the city is a comforting symbol of safety to the villagers. When the moon wanes in June a ceremony will be performed to close the shrine. It is opened three and a half months later at the waxing moon in October. This period is Buddhist Lent which the Dara-Ang people regard as a time of merit. Therefore during this period of time they observe religious precepts, such as abstaining from adultery and marriage. The custom of the Dara-Ang people during the closure of the shrine is to create a set of rules for the community so that the people all conform to the same regulations.

                     

       The temple is a very important place for Dara-Ang people. The Dara-Ang respect Buddhism but mix this with their original beliefs. When they perform ceremonies they will include Buddhist elements. For example the cremation ceremony adheres to original beliefs but includes prayers by monks. The Dara-Ang people go to the temple in order to develop their minds and bodies.

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