The Phu Tai are members of the Tai-Kadai language group and inhabit both sides of the Mekong River, in Re Nu Nakhon district of Nakhon Province in Thailand and the Khammuan Province of Laos. Phu Tai beliefs are based on a combination of Buddhism and ancient animism. They do not believe in as many spirits as other Tai groups but the most important are, the spirit of the district, (phi muang), the spirit of the village and the spirits of the natural surroundings, such as those of the trees. Every village has Shamans, who are women selected for this service. These women are believed to posses powers to cure the sick and for serious illness there are others who are believed to posses powers to mediate between the sick and the spirits. Children under 15, both of whom are buried outside the village area.