the spot, reading spiritual texts to drive away bad lucks and to bring good lucks, and to worship ancestors. Festivals The Black Thai worship their ancestors on the 7th and 8th month of the Lunar Year. The White Thai also celebrate the new year according to the lunar calendar. Villagers also worship the gods of land, mountain, water and the soul of the central post of the village. Calendar The Thai calendar follows the ancient horoscope or cosmology (which contains 12 key animals) like the lunar calendar. But the Black Thai's calendar has a time difference of six months. Artistic activities The Thai Dam perform their xoe dance and play many kinds of flutes. They sing out verses and vivid alternate songs. See Also Hmong people Khmu people Nyaw people References Tai peoples Ethnic groups in Vietnam Ethnic groups in Laos Ethnic groups in China Ethnic groups in Thailand