Fon Pi Fa Nang Tiam: A Ritual Dance in Isan aims at studyings the dance in folk ritual performance of Pra Yuen District, Khon Kaen Province based upon documentary, interviewings, and observations. It is found that Nangtiam or master of ceremony and her followers are the descendants of Laos people in Vientiane. They still continue their Fon Pi Fa or ritual dance until today. Fon Pi Fa is performed in two functions. One is cast away sickness and the other is to warship the god of heaven called Pi Fa which is performed for there days and nights from 13ᵗʰ to 15ᵗʰ of April. Fon Pi Fa is found to have three types of dance. First is the single posture for the whole dance. Second is the combination of gestures. And third is the duet dance mostly by two females in different gestures. Most distinctive gestures in Fon Pi Fa are seen in hands, feet, and body movements. Dancers always move their hands in the front at the chest level. They use regular steps with full sole touches the found. They repeatedly way their knees sideway at four or eight beats. Their hold their bodies up straight or lean forward. Leaning to the back and or the sides are used while dancing on a spot. These dance gestures are found similar to other northeastern dances today. Music is always performed by Khaen Paed or reed organ with eight doubled-holes. Master tune for singing and chanting is called Lai Tang Yao and for dancing is called Lai Tang Sun. Dancers wear ordinary northeastern costume with an important piece of shawl or sabai. It is foreseen that Fon Pi Fa will remain as long the northeastern people warship gods. There should be more in depth studies about thesis type of dance in other areas of northeastern Thailand.
