Poulsen’s work proves how important it is to work with original texts and with those who are still able to understand the ritual and religious background of these texts which may appear strange and perhaps unreasonable to the outsider.
Poulsen’s work proves how important it is to work with original texts and with those who are still able to understand the ritual and religious background of these texts which may appear strange and perhaps unreasonable to the outsider. Poulsen’s revelations about the traditional confinement, for example, show that traditions and practices considered to have died out were still very much alive when he conducted his research in Northeast Thailand. Poulsen’s book highlights understanding of cultural diversity and oral traditions in particular – most especially the role they continue to play – even in modernising cultures and societies.