Lanna Crafts XX

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

Picture of Yee Peng festival

This month, November, there will be a significant tradition in Thailand called ‘Loy Krathong’ festival which is annually celebrated on the full-moon day of the twelfth lunar month of Buddhist calendar. Loy Krathong is the floating of an illuminated leaf vessel to make an apology and thank to water, canal, river, ocean (actually to the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha), because we need to use water in daily life and might make dirt or impurity to water. The word “Loy” means “float”, and “Krathong” means lotus-shaped vessel which is made of any available things, such as banana leaves, light synthetic foam with colored paper, bread, etc. A krathong usually contains a candle, three joss sticks, some flowers and coins. Lanna people call this festival as ‘Yee Peng’ festival.

- Tradition about Yee Peng festival, this festival has been hold and practiced for long time since the 14^th century B.E. Yee Peng festival was a very significant festival to the Lanna King and Lanna people as they would go to a temple to make a merit, listen to the monk’s sermon on story of the last great incarnation of the Buddha, and float the sacrificial offerings along the river to worship the Goddess of Water, or their ancients, or Buddha’s footprint. Moreover there would be Sky Lantern or Floating Lantern called Khom Loy (Thai word) for offerings to Buddha. Nowadays Lanna people still follow the ancient on celebrating this festival, and including more entertainments or shows or beauty contests in this festival.

The highlight of Yee Peng festival focuses on the launching of the Khom Loy or Floating Lanterns into the night sky with the belief that misfortune will fly away with them. Lanna people believe that, if the lanterns are made and offered to Buddha or monks, they will receive wisdom in return as the flame in the lantern stands for knowledge and the light it gives will guide them to the right path of their lives.

The activities of Lanna people in this festival will be as follows:

- In the morning, they will prepare foods very early in the morning to make a merit with monks at a temple and listen to the monk’s sermon on story of the last great incarnation of the Buddha.

- In the evening, Lanna people will prepare lit candle cups called Pang Pa Tib at their homes and at temples for worship the Buddha and pray for themselves and their families to get prosperity and happiness. The number of the cups usually will be equal to the age of the lit one or number of people in his family. Later, they will light Sky Lanterns or Khom Loy, and for the water ceremony they will use the Krathong with sacrificial offerings as above mentioned.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

Grehom Scented Candles (Set of 4) -
Thai Spa; Beautiful Gift; Frangipani in
Bamboo Casing; Handmade Votive Candles;
Exclusive Wedding Gift; Each candle
is delivered in an elegant Gift Box

1) ‘Grehom Scented Candles (Set of 4) - Thai Spa; Beautiful Gift; Frangipani in Bamboo Casing; Handmade Votive Candles; Exclusive Wedding Gift; Each candle is delivered in an elegant Gift Box’ by Grehom:

• Set of 4 Candles; Red, Green, Blue & Yellow colour Frangipani candles
• Special candle, in a bamboo casing
• 1.8" tall and 2.8" wide
• Re-useable as a candle holder
• Ideal romantic gift for her

2) ‘Ceramic lacquer Buddhist monk coin bank from Thailand’ From Thai handmade product:

Ceramic lacquer Buddhist
monk coin bank from Thailand

A cute crafted coin bank from Thailand made from Ceramic, Buddhist monk alike.

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts XIX

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

Buddhism has influence on the lives of Lanna people for long time. Whenever there is any Buddhist religious ceremony, everyone is willing to help with his/her belief on the religion to get good deeds. As mentioned in the latest article – Lanna Crafts XVIII that there is an important Buddhist ceremony as a big public festival of Lanna called Poy Luang which is concerning to the religious celebrations on Buddhist building. Today we will see in details what significant it is and how it is performed.

Picture of Poy Luang ceremony

- Tradition about Poy Luang, actually Poy Luang in Lanna language means the religious building celebrations from the faith of the people, such as temples, chapels or monk habitats, etc., which needs many helps from many people to set all activities. In the past, Lanna people were very proud to participate in Poy Luang (even now, they are also still proud to this ceremony), because this ceremony was rarely established on one human generation. This is due to it will be held up only when there is a new construction of religious buildings. However in the present day, they will choose 3-7 days in February-May of every year to set this ceremony.

The purposes of Poy Luang ceremony are to make a merit to ancestors or passed away relatives, and to gather local people to have an activity together with amusement on all entertainments as a festival.

Toong (Lanna Flag)

Two to three days before the ceremony date, Lanna people will prepare the Lanna flags (called Toong) around 2 meters long which are beautifully cotton weaving with silver or gold lining, or weaving as the Thai flags, or Zodiac sign flags. The flags will be attached to the edges of bamboo sticks which are pitched on the streets around the village. Along both sides of village’s streets will be colorful, and it will be a sign to show that there will be a Poy Luang ceremony here.

There will be three ceremony days for the Poy Luang:

• First day called ‘Wan Da’ or ‘Wan Tang Da’, Lanna people will prepare foods, fruits, utensils for monks to take to the temple. These utensils for monks will be decorated neatly and might have a bamboo stick with bank notes for each set of them.

• Second day called ‘Wan Kin’, is a happy day for a party with all foods, alcohols, etc.

• Third day called ‘Wan Tan’, everyone from every house will prepare to move to the temple with all entertainments, such as musical bands, dancing of all relatives, etc. At the same time, there will be amusements in the temple area, some local performances, and a lot of merchants as a temple festival. The monks will bless everyone with melodic and stylistic tone to please the people who bring all foods and utensils to the temple.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

1) ‘SKY LANTERNS 14 Pack - Assorted Colors’ From Sky Lanterns / Khoom Fay:

SKY LANTERNS 14 Pack
- Assorted Colors

This is the original handmade Sky Lantern. Not a cheap copy, this is the original.

• The only lantern which the fuel source is already attached. No assembly required, no plastic.
• Flame Retardant - 100% Biodegradable - Fully Assembled!
• 2 Pieces Of Each Color ~ Purple, Pink, Red, Orange, Green, Yellow And White
• Great For Every Party And Get-Together!
• Safe And Fun For Everybody!
• Measures 16" W x 16" L x 40" H

2) ‘Large 8 inches Thai Granite Mortar and Pestle’ From TastePadThai:

Large 8" Thai Granite 
Mortar and Pestle

A nice souvenir from Thailand for Thai daily cooking style

• Crushing with a granite mortar and pestle releases the flavor of fresh spices better than chopping with the blade of a food processor

• Made of the highest quality 100% hand-carved solid granite (stone), natural grey-green color
• 3+ cup capacity, 15-17 lbs. 5.5"inner bowl, 5" height. 8" pestle
• The pestle and inside surface of the mortar are finely polished, so it will not absorb odors from food!
• Beautiful appearance that will last a lifetime!

(To be continued)