Photographer Mariette Pathy Allen has documented the lives of spirit mediums in Myanmar and Thailand.
Photographer Mariette Pathy Allen has documented the lives of spirit mediums in Myanmar and Thailand.
Mariette Pathy Allen
A spirit medium performs a song and dance as part of a ritual in Mandalay, Myanmar.
A spirit medium performs a song and dance as part of a ritual in Mandalay, Myanmar.
Mariette Pathy Allen
Ancient swords are sometimes used as part of religious ceremonies.
Ancient swords are sometimes used as part of religious ceremonies.
Mariette Pathy Allen
Burmese medium, Mot Me Noe, poses with a video of a recent spirit festival performance.
Burmese medium, Mot Me Noe, poses with a video of a recent spirit festival performance.
Mariette Pathy Allen
Transgender medium Sai Si said that she is comfortable expressing her femininity, despite the discrimination faced by gay and gender non-conforming men in Myanmar.
Transgender medium Sai Si said that she is comfortable expressing her femininity, despite the discrimination faced by gay and gender non-conforming men in Myanmar.
Mariette Pathy Allen
Sai Si in the countryside just outside Mandalay, Myanmar.
Sai Si in the countryside just outside Mandalay, Myanmar.
Mariette Pathy Allen
A spirit medium waits to perform at a spirit festival.
A spirit medium waits to perform at a spirit festival.
Mariette Pathy Allen
The assistant of a Burmese medium prepares to perform at a spirit festival.
The assistant of a Burmese medium prepares to perform at a spirit festival.
Mariette Pathy Allen
A Mandalay spirit medium, U Lin Lin, poses for a photo in a ceremonial headdress.
A Mandalay spirit medium, U Lin Lin, poses for a photo in a ceremonial headdress.
Mariette Pathy Allen
Spirit medium Tinko applies makeup before a religious ceremony.
Spirit medium Tinko applies makeup before a religious ceremony.
Mariette Pathy Allen
A novice spirit medium in Mandalay.
A novice spirit medium in Mandalay.
Mariette Pathy Allen
A medium in Chiang Mai, Thailand, lights a cigar for the enjoyment of the spirits.
A medium in Chiang Mai, Thailand, lights a cigar for the enjoyment of the spirits.
Mariette Pathy Allen
Spirit mediums are often highly regarded in Thailand and Myanmar. They offer spiritual counseling, healing and good fortune.
Spirit mediums are often highly regarded in Thailand and Myanmar. They offer spiritual counseling, healing and good fortune.
Mariette Pathy Allen
The mediums featured in Allen's new book combine Buddhist practices with Southeast Asia's ancient traditions of spirit worship.
The mediums featured in Allen's new book combine Buddhist practices with Southeast Asia's ancient traditions of spirit worship.
Mariette Pathy Allen
Prem, a transgender woman, said that she is possessed by seven different spirits.
Prem, a transgender woman, said that she is possessed by seven different spirits.
Mariette Pathy Allen
A Thai medium performs a ritual that is hoped will bring a young man out of a coma.
A Thai medium performs a ritual that is hoped will bring a young man out of a coma.
Mariette Pathy Allen
As well as documenting the spirit mediums themselves, Allen's photo series captures the statutes, altars and paraphernalia used in religious ceremonies and spirit festivals.
As well as documenting the spirit mediums themselves, Allen's photo series captures the statutes, altars and paraphernalia used in religious ceremonies and spirit festivals.
Mariette Pathy Allen
A medium seemingly possessed by the spirit of a monkey. Allen also met psychics who said that they were possessed by the spirits of ancestors and even babies.
A medium seemingly possessed by the spirit of a monkey. Allen also met psychics who said that they were possessed by the spirits of ancestors and even babies.
Mariette Pathy Allen
Spirit medium Oo Shout Wai rests after performing at a festival outside Mandalay.
Spirit medium Oo Shout Wai rests after performing at a festival outside Mandalay.
Mariette Pathy Allen
While the book features candid shots of the mediums' everyday lives, some of the most striking images capture them mid-ritual -- at home or at religious festivals.
While the book features candid shots of the mediums' everyday lives, some of the most striking images capture them mid-ritual -- at home or at religious festivals.
Mariette Pathy Allen
"Transcendents: Spirit Mediums in Burma and Thailand," published by Daylight Books, is out now.
"Transcendents: Spirit Mediums in Burma and Thailand," published by Daylight Books, is out now.
Mariette Pathy Allen