Lanna Crafts XXI

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

The next significant tradition of Lanna is the New Year festival, or Songkran festival in Thai word, or Pee Mai Muang festival in Lanna word. The New Year Festival of Lanna People is set in April (as same as other Thai regions) or the seventh month of Lanna calendar.

Picture of Pee Mai Muang festival

Pee Mai Muang is a movement or change to a new era which is the first moving of the sun into Aries. So they set April to be the first month of the year. The theme of Pee Mai Muang is based on the belief of the new era which is an opportunity for family members to gather to make a merit, and/or sprinkle water onto a Buddha image, and/or pour water on the hands of revered elders and ask for blessing, and/or splash water to each other (children and young peoples). These activities are to express goodwill on peace and happiness.

Pee Mai Muang festival of Lanna is different from Songkran festival in other regions of Thailand on the duration of the festival (more days than other regions), the activities, the beliefs and the purpose.

According to typical Songkran festival, there will be 3 days of activities as follows:

• April 13 will be ‘Sangkharn-Long day’: After midnight of April 12, it will be sounds of wood knockings, firecrackers, gun shootings for sending or expelling the Sangkharn (there are so many meanings of this word for this festival, but the one is the sun or age, to cross over to the new age). Today members of family will clean all areas their home.

• April 14 will be ‘Naw day’: Today the sun will move to the point between the end of Pisces and the start of Aries. Everyone will prepare supplies and foods to make a merit on tomorrow, they will speak good words to each other, no damning or scolding.

• April 15 will be ‘Phayawan day’: Today the sun will cross into Aries which the Lanna year number will be changed. Lanna people will wake up early in the morning to go to the temple to make the merit. Today they will have an opportunity to sprinkle water onto a Buddha image which every temple will prepare by setting the Buddha image for easy access at the middle of temple. And they might pour water on the hands of revered elders and ask for blessing today.

Note:

1. Nowadays Thai people favor to splash water to each other (children and young peoples) in these three days.
2. Pee Mai Muang festival especially adds more 4 days than Songkran festival, there are ‘Pak-pee’, ‘Pak-duan’, ‘Pak-wan’, ‘Pak-yarm’ days. The main purpose of these days is for Lanna people to travel to worship Buddha images at long distance temple, or go to meet the elder cousins who live far away to pour water on their hands and ask for blessing then.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

- ‘Hair Tie Hair Accessories Made From Fabric’ From Lannathaiexport:

Hair Tie Hair Accessories Made from Fabric

• This handmade item is from fabric / pompom
• Model: HA011
• Dimensions: .44 pounds

(To be continued)

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)

Lanna Crafts XVIII

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

One significant tradition of Lanna people which is related to their Buddhism religion is about the ordination to be a novice or a monk, called ‘Poy Noi’.

Picture of Lanna Buddhist Ordination

- Tradition about Lanna Ordination (Poy Noi), the Lanna Buddhist ordinations could be classified for kids and adults as novices and monks. Typically, a novice’s age is around 7-20 years old.

- Poy Buach is an ordination ceremony for kids (or a kid) to be novices (or a novice).
- Poy Pek is an ordination ceremony for adults (or an adult) to be monks (or a monk).
- Poy Look Kaew is an ordination ceremony which is included a pre-ordination ceremony called Nak (from Naga) Parade.

- Poy Sang Long is a Tai people ordination ceremony as described in Hill Tribal Crafts IX.
- Poy Noi is an ordination ceremony which is established internally among relatives, not a public ceremony.
- Poy Luang is a big public festival of Lanna concerning to the religious celebrations on temples, monk habitats, etc.

The main purpose (from the past) of Lanna Buddhist Ordination or Poy Noi was about kids’ educations. The kids would have opportunities to study and learn on how to read and write from monks. Also they would learn on moral and ethics and vocational practices. One important aim was to be Buddhist heirs. More purposes were the parents would also obtain the merit from the virtue of ordination of their sons. Believe that the ordination would be able to lead to Nirvana. After a period of ordination and leaving the monkhood, believe that he would be a good knowledgeable man who would be a good husband because of full of benevolence in mind. Then everyone would like to accept him as a son-in-law.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

- ‘EXP Decorative Handmade Lavender and Gold Floral Thai Silk Cushion Cover/Pillow Sham’ from EXP:

EXP Decorative Handmade Lavender
and Gold Floral Thai Silk
Cushion Cover/Pillow Sham

• Add a sultry accent to your living room or bedroom decor with this sensuous Thai silk cushion cover
• Luxurious lavender floral and gold silk cushion cover handmade from genuine Thai silk
• Features an intricate floral array in autumnal hues of gold and black
• Full-length hidden zipper allows for easy insertion or removal of a cushion
• Vivid decorative accessory will add a floral flirtatiousness to any room
• 16 in. l x 16 in. w

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts XVII

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

After the end of the human life, there might be someone to prepare a ceremony for him/her. One significant tradition of Lanna is Tradition about Death and Corpse.

Picture of Lanna Temples

- Tradition about Death and Corpse, when there is death in a Lanna house, there will be sounds of cry and lamentation from his/her relatives. This culture is same as traditional Chinese people’s culture. These sounds of sadness are called ‘Hui’ which will be as announcement to neighbors to know that there is death occurred in the house. They will come to assist on the death ceremony.

The relatives will usually set the death ceremony at home by inviting monks to pray there every night. When the scheduled date comes, they will decorate the corpse with flowers and move by carry (bear) to graveyard. For the rich or royalties or high-level monks, their corpse will be move to the graveyard by wheel-vehicle.

In the previous days, the corpse would be buried, no cremation. The cremation should be performed only for monks, kings or the royalties. They believed that they had to bury the corpse to preserve the perfect body for the next life. If the dead body lost eye or hand, then in the next life, he/she would be blind or crippled. For the one who died while pregnant, the dead baby must be taken out before bury, if not, in the next life the woman would be self-pregnant without a husband.

Believe that the dead people would come back in 3 or 7 days due to their worries. So the relatives would wear black dresses or suits to make merit to the dead one. After 7 days past, there would be a spiritual invitation rite by a medium (invoker). The relatives would ask through the medium to the dead one what he/she preferred to have or eat. They would believe if the medium chose the right ones.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

- ‘Thai Style Original Barbie Size Thai Outfit - Modern, Lanna or Chakri’, from Thai:

Thai Style Original Barbie Size
Thai Outfit -
Modern, Lanna or Chakri

• Made and purchased in Thailand these outfits for Barbie are made of Thai silk and include a brochure explaining the nature of the costume.
• This modern style outfit has a solid sleeveless grayish-brown top with tiny bright green embroidery around the neck.
• At the top of the bodice is a gold design imprinted on the material.
• The skirt is full length and straight, of a navy and deep gold geometric print with horizontal stripes.
• There is a gold belt with a silver and gold with crystal center floral-like ornament at the center and a lace decoration around the hip area. 
• From the waist to the floor is a broad gold trim interwoven with bright blue, green and fuchsia thread.
• Around the shoulders, the outfit includes a very wide gold shawl also interwoven with glittering blue, green and fuchsia threads.
• The outfit comes with two gold arm bracelets.

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts XVI

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

After wedding ceremony, Lanna son-in-law has a duty to build houses for his family. Today we will present a Tradition about Lanna Home Reconstruction.

Picture of Lanna Houses

- Tradition about Lanna Home Reconstruction, when the groom comes to live at the bride’s house, he needs to stay there at least three years to help her parents’ jobs; farming, gardening, etc. before enable to build a new separated own house. There are in-depth concepts on this as the wife will have opportunity to practice to be a good housewife, while the husband will be trained by the father-in-law to be a nice leader of the family, and the couple will be able to save money for building their own house.

It’s prohibited for the couple to build a very neat house on the first one when they need a separated house from parents, Lanna people believe that it’s inauspicious and will bring unfortunate events to the family. So their first house will be constructed to be able to stand only for 1-3 years before build a new one. The second constructed house will consist of tied beams, and the third constructed house will be the neatest one with the inserted beams and tied beams for long residence.

The head of the family needs to find auspicious time and date to start building the house. He will discuss with the old ones who know Lanna cultures and traditions, or might discuss with a fortune-teller who will give suggestion on the best date and time from his book. The suggested months from the book usually are in even number of Lanna months, sixth and eighth, but the tenth month will be prohibited for any auspicious ceremony.

The host of the new house will inform his neighbors to come for helps on house construction. The wife will prepare foods for all neighbors who will come, and the husband will contact to all engineers or the working team. He needs to prepare some rituals before building a house: Asking for the land from King of Nagas before digging the main-pole hole, Notification to the Four Celestial Guardians (see Lanna Crafts XI).

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

1) ‘Thai Fashion Purse- Handmade in Chiang Mai’, from Thai Fashion Handbag-Thailand:

Thai Fashion Purse-
Handmade in
Chiang Mai

• This beautiful and unique handbag is handmade at the Bann Talae handicraft center near Chiang Mai Thailand.
• Strong, durable craftsmanship.
• All hand stitching and native materials, from the wooden beads on the strap, to the gold silk string, to the wooden button that closes the top, to the mosaic artwork material that is used in the design.
• Single strap design is the perfect length for carrying as a shoulder strap or clutch.
• Ornate mosaic material is native Thai and only available to tourists who go to this area of Northern Thailand.
• Dimensions: 28.00" h x 8.00" w x 15.00" l, 1.21 pounds

2) ‘Thai Puggi Oriental Lamp’, from Oriental Furniture:

Thai Puggi Oriental Lamp

• Measures 18" H x 10" D x 10" W - Attractive Table Lamp or Night Light
• Hand Crafted Wood Lantern in Unique Thai Spirit House Design
• Fiber Reinforced Pressed Pulp Rice Paper Shade - Cast a Soft Glow in Any Room
• UL Approved Wiring, Socket & Switch for 60 Watt Bulb - Up to 150W Compact Flourescent

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts XV

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

Lanna Costume was presented in previous article. Today we will go to see Lanna Wedding Tradition and Ceremony.

Picture of Lanna Wedding Ceremony

- Lanna Wedding Tradition and Ceremony, before a decision to get married or to have a new family, besides of the Lanna couple’s considerations on their appearances, characteristics, wealthy, relations to the social, etc., they need to care with the traditional beliefs on marriage life, such as birth dates of the couple must not be opponent together. They believe that the friendly birth dates will lead the couple to be prosperous, but the marriage life will be failed on their opponent birth dates.

The traditional marriage life (or living together as a family) of Lanna people was simplified in the past. When the woman’s parents were aware of the couple’s love or there was ‘Pid-pee (see Lanna Craft VII)’ occurred, they would contact to the man for his responsibility by performing a process called ‘Sai-pee’ or ‘Sier-pee’ which allowed the man side to ask for forgiveness by giving candles, flowers, money and other offerings to the woman’s household spirits. After that there would be an appointment of the woman’s parents to let the man come to living at their home. The man would pick only a sword or some of his clothes to his new family, because the woman side will prepare all things for living at their home to welcome the new member. There would not be anything much came with him, except money for starting a new life with his new family. The man would proudly show how much of money he carried with to the woman and her parents.

Later, there would be wedding ceremony called ‘Kin-cak-tang-ngan’, which was classified in two sorts:

• First, ‘Pid-pee’ wedding as mentioned before at Lanna Craft VII,

• Second, ‘A marriage proposal’, when the couple love and decide to get married and live together, the man’s senior relatives will come to make the proposal and appointment on engagement date.

After engagement, there would be an appointment for wedding and celebration date which would invite guests as both sides’ considerations.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

1) ‘925 Thai Silver Handmade Jewelry Findings Wedding Rings Designs for Girls 8.9g (Wzl0014-tyjz)’, from Wenzhilian Jewelry Co., Ltd:

925 Thai Silver Handmade
Jewelry Findings Wedding Rings
Designs for Girls 8.9g
(Wzl0014-tyjz)

Agate is one of the seven gems in Buddhism; it has an effect to ward off evil spirits. People started to use it as their talisman long years ago. Since the ancient times the scholars treated agate as "the third eye" of jade and the symbol of friendliness, love and hope. Handmade, fashion & romantic clear 925 sterling silver and natural agate, color: black & red & green/Weight:8.9g/size:18#dia. : 18.5MM perimeter: 58MM; 19#dia. : 18.8 MM perimeter: 59MM; 20#dia. : 19.4 MM perimeter: 61MM.

2) ‘Sterling Silver Thai Style Filigree Diamond-Shaped Dangle Earrings’, from Avend Concepts:

Sterling Silver Thai Style
Filigree Diamond-Shaped
Dangle Earrings

These charming earrings feature a filigree Thai-style pattern in a diamond-shaped design. Sterling silver dangle earrings add a soft grace to anyone as their sparkling accentuates your every movement with that extra class. They are beautifully made in 925 sterling silver and finished with 925 sterling silver fishhook backs with spiral wire accents. They measure 1 and 1/2 inches (38 millimeters) in length and 3/4 inches (19 millimeters) in width. The high polish finish gives these earrings an exquisite shine that is sure to catch every eye.

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts XIV

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

In latest article we presented many ‘Lanna Rituals Related to The Patient’ which quite related to their daily life. Today the article is closer to their daily life than ever. If someone who have traveled to the northern of Thailand or seen some Lanna cultural performances, they may like and be interested in the Lanna original costume both for ladies and gentlemen. So today Thai Burmese Crafts will present a Lanna Culture: Lanna Costume.

Picture of Lanna Costume of Ladies and Gentlemen

- Lanna Costume, from the past since reign of King Mengrai (see Lanna Craft I: Lanna History), Lanna people wear the similar clothing which presented out their unique culture as follows:

Lanna Ladies Costume: The bare breast of a suburb woman was common in the past. She might have only light color cloth to use with, such as wrapping the breast, or hanging with her neck, wearing as Sabai (a cloth wearing type of Siam), etc. The blouse wearing came popular in very late period of Lanna. The blouse would be handcrafted sewing cotton cloth, typically white color from cotton. For an adult, she would wear a round-necked blouse, curved sleeves, five seam stitching, fit to body. Moreover she would wear the under-blouse as a sleeveless t-shirt with the same sewing method as the blouse.

A woman would wear a long striped skirt-like dress called ‘Sinn’. The fabric of Sinn would be striped single seam, and the color was dyed with vegetable colors in red, purple, etc. There would be a connected bottom-end cloth to connect with the main Sinn, the color might be black. The other end of main Sinn, which would be worn at the woman’s waist, usually was sewed with white color cloth. Later, when there was loom development which enabled whole Sinn cloth production without connected sewing, Lanna ladies favored this kind of Sinn and change to another alternative colors mixing with many patterns which were popular till present day.

Lanna Gentlemen Costume: In the past, Lanna men admired tattoo designs from waist to knee. The girls would ignore any bare hip men, since they believe that those were cowards. A Lanna man would wear cotton cloth which color was alternated black and white. There were three wearing methods; first, normal wear by tuck at center of waist and the remainder was hanged from the waist, second, catch and tuck at the waist as the first method, but the remainder was passed under the body (between two legs) to tuck at the back (of waist), third, for fit tight purposes, such as fighting or hard working or riding a buffalo, he would wear very tight with both sides of the hips showing the tattoo. For these three wearing methods, the man would bare the chest. Some Lanna men wear pants which were similar pattern to Chinese one. There were short and long pants which sewed with handmade cotton.

Lanna men in the past did not like to wear shirts. In the cold weather, they will use some long cloth to cover the body. The color of this cloth was dyed with vegetable dyes, i.e. indigo, ebony, jackfruit, etc. Later they wore round-necked shirts which short or long sleeves with throughout buttons in front called ‘Moh-Hom (in Thai)’ or Indigo-shirt.

In addition, there might be some apparel for some jobs or some occasions, such as hat, belt, shoes, and other accessories of rich people.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

100% Cotton Traditional Thai Daishiki
- Royal Purple and African Gold
Design (size LARGE 44-46)

- ‘100% Cotton Traditional Thai Daishiki- Royal Purple and African Gold Design (size LARGE 44-46)’, from MR. Thai- Bangkok: Handmade, highest quality, 100% cotton Daishikis will surpass your greatest expectations, no blends or synthetic fibers, completely machine safe and easy to care for, exquisite and vibrant patterns and colors, durable, strong and long-lasting, designed and handcrafted to last. Possibly the most unique and beautiful gift you could ever give or receive.

Thai Foot Massage Stick

- ‘Thai Foot Massage Stick’: This Traditional Thai Foot Massage stick is about 13cm long, made of teak, and has ridges along the sides, to allow a variety of techniques to be performed and the thin and thick end offer more, or less focused pressure for the reflex points, smooth and ridged sides for different sensations.

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts XIII

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

After the Lanna Cultures & Traditions about Respectful Ceremony to the Master or Teacher, today Thai Burmese Crafts will present some rituals related to the patient from bad luck, spiritual/psychological illness and/or malfunctioning sickness.

Picture of Buddha, a Moment before Attain Enlightenment

- Lanna Guam Ritual, this ritual will be performed the Parita recital or prayer (a Buddhist prayer for protecting from all dangers, such as fire, earthquake, tsunami, illness, etc.) under Sanghati (monk’s cloth). The patient will sit beneath this Sanghati cloth by covering his head with a monk’s bowl. Four monks will be invited to pray the Parita during holding each corner of Sanghati cloth above the patient to ward off ghosts those possessed the patient’s body.

- Lanna Tan-Khua Ritual, this ritual is about a donation of a bridge by the patient. Believe that a chronic disease patient or a person who will die but not die even if his cousins manage him to listen the Great Dharma prayer, this bridge donation will help the patient to be easier to cross over to the next world.

- Lanna Sacrifice Ritual, this ritual will be performed when occurring bad events or chronic sickness, such as a house fire or frequently encounter bad luck. The Victims believe that these bad events or conditions are due to ghosts or other powerful authorized actions. To cure is to sacrifice to the causing deity or spirit directly to end of the bad luck. There are many sacrifice types depending on the deity or spirit which the victim will prepare different offerings upon the purposes. However the typical offerings are:

- Venerable offering or the oblation, i.e. flowers, popped rice, joss stick, candles

- Honorable offering, i.e. small flag, high candle (as high as the victim’s height), white cloth, red cloth, gold, silver, etc.

- Foods and Sweets

- Sacrifice things, such as clay or dough which be formed as animals

- Another alms, such as animals for releasing to the nature

- Respectful offerings for the Master or Teacher, this is for the knowledgeable person who will perform this ceremony for the victim

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

Silver flower earrings,
'Chiang Mai Rose

- ‘Silver flower earrings, 'Chiang Mai Rose'’, from NOVICA*: Roses blossom with .950 silver splendor, becoming earrings of timeless elegance. The hook earrings are crafted by hand with masterful artistry.

*NOVICA: who works in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world.

Original Hand-Painted
Thai Candle Balls- Replaceable
Flowered Candle Included

- ‘Original Hand-Painted Thai Candle Balls- Replaceable Flowered Candle Included': Each element of this unique work of art is 100% Handmade, flower candles are hand carved from wax bricks, and then hand painted in Chiang Mai, Northern of Thailand. Black cases are hand painted, first all-black, then with ornate paintings of floral or landscape scenes. Candles even have a wonderful scent, designed to last for years. Each Orb is individually hand carved and then hand painted. Most people use these Orbs strictly as decoration, but you can feel comfortable using the candle itself, because the candle itself is a standard size replaceable candle. (The kind in the shallow metal cup...)

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts XII

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

Today Lanna Cultures & Traditions, we will talk about the Respectful Ceremony to the Master or Teacher.

Pictures of Khan Tang 

(A sacred pedestal for Respectful Ceremony to the Master or Teacher)

- Culture & Tradition about Respectful Ceremony to the Master or Teacher, the aim of this activity is to inform the master or teacher before using or performing the studied subject or whatever (for example, studied magic or spell). The other purpose of this ceremony is for inviting the master or teacher to stay with (by spirit) before performing the studied subject to rise the holy or miraculous power.  

Lanna people called this ceremony in Thai as ‘Khan Tang’ ceremony. The Khan Tang is a kind of sacred pedestal which contained tray, flower offering cone, candle, coin cone, white cloth, red cloth, betel nut, banana, sugarcane, coconut, paddy, rice, etc. For general Khan Tang in normal family, they will set a small one but complete set for this purpose. The one who helps to perform the ritual is a monk or a knowledgeable person.

The Respectful Ceremony to the Master or Teacher is classified into two sorts, the first one is for inviting the Master or Teacher (by spirit) to help on another person, the second type is for own self, such as perform this ceremony before start studying with a teacher, etc.

In the past, Lanna people raise the magic or spell to be a high valuable thing without cost (money payment), everyone who wants to study must perform this ceremony before study and do it every time when he has to execute any ritual.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

- 'Handmade COTTON BAG Chiang Mai Province Northern Thailand', famous and beautiful, hand-woven cotton bag, native cloth.

Handmade COTTON BAG
Chiang Mai Province
Northern Thailand (1)

Handmade COTTON BAG 
Chiang Mai Province 
Northern Thailand (2)

Handmade COTTON BAG 
Chiang Mai Province 
Northern Thailand (3)

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts XI

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

There are many more Lanna Cultures & Traditions to be presented. Due to the long history of Lanna which absorbed many cultures & traditions from various ancients who occupied on this territory as mentioned in previous posts: Lanna Crafts I, II, III, IV and V (please click the Roman numbers to read or see at Blog Archive).

Picture of the first heaven level named Jatumaharachika

- Culture & Tradition about Notification to the Four Celestial Guardians, any Lanna auspicious ritual or ceremony, such as House-blessing Ceremony, Ordaining as Novice Monk or a Monk, New Year Festival, etc.,  it must be begun with Notification to the Four Celestial Guardians step before do anything further.

The Four Celestial Guardians are the great gods who rule the first heaven level named Jatumaharachika (in Thai) or Cātummahārājika (in Bali). Each Celestial Guardian’s age is 500 years of heaven. The Gods dwell in four directions of center of universe in order to guard, look after, explore the various deeds, protect and give happiness to all of mankind.  The names in Thai language of four Gods are ‘Vessuwan’, ‘Thataratha’, ‘Viroonhok’, ‘Viroopak’, who take care the world in the North, East, South, and West directions, respectively.

Except from notification to these four gods, Lanna people will need to notify to other two significant great gods to get success on their auspicious rituals; ‘Indra’, the leader of all gods in two heaven levels and the Earth Mother who is the witness of all merits of human.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

Handmade pendant coconut shell!
Elephant & necklace wax cord
Chiang Mai in Thailand /
L.18-36 cm

- ‘Handmade pendant coconut shell!Elephant & necklace wax cord Chiang Mai in Thailand / L.18-36 cm’, brand: Chiang Mai in Thailand, model: G016, handmade pendant coconut shell-Elephant & necklace wax cord

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts X

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

Lanna Cultures & Traditions, the next one is Housewarming or House-blessing Ceremony which the purpose is to bless the new house, almost same as other Thai people in the other parts of Thailand.

Picture of House-blessing Ceremony

- Culture & Tradition about Housewarming or House-blessing Ceremony, in the past, the Lanna house owner has to do many hard works for his/her house before its construction is finished, such as collecting locks and other materials for building, constructing with neighbors' helps, etc. So the owner shall be bound by and proud of the results that have been dedicated to. Then before moving in the new house, Lanna people will need to do the proper rituals: The ceremony of the new building or The religious housewarming.

First, they will search for the good day which might be suggested by a monk or knowledgeable person. Typically the famous good month for this ceremony is the twelfth month of Lanna, or other even months. The house owner needs to prepare a lot of food and food preparing equipment to set a party, and the host might hire a musical band for entertainment. The most significant thing to do is inviting a monk for making a merit and a knowledgeable person to perform the ceremony. The monk will escort the house owner or the host to enter the house for sprinkling holy water and preaching one sermon.

Many people will come to help organizing the ceremony on the day before the ceremony day. So the host will entertain the guests whom come to help by some activities till night. During this period, the young man and woman will have the opportunity to meet together. 

On the housewarming day, the ceremony will start in the early morning. The house owner will notify to the Four Celestial Guardians, and prepare a statue of the Buddha, valuable chests, or pots and jars for rice, one carried-load paddy rice, one carried-load plain rice, mattress, bedclothes, and wait for the auspiciousness near the stairs leading up to the new house. There might be some good-named persons involving in the parade, such as ‘Dee (means good or nice)’, ‘Kaew (indirect meaning is the greatest respective thing)’, etc. When the auspicious time comes, the person who escorts the Buddha statue will lead and be followed by others who carry the other things. Then the monk and the knowledgeable person will perform the ceremony respectively. After the monk’s meal, making merit to the monk and the monk’s praying, and then the ceremony is completed. Finally, it’s the party time for all.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

- 'Carnelian Cluster Earrings, 'Chiang Rai Feast' ', from NOVICA*, handmade carnelian, dyed blue resin, dyed quartz and glass beads, hook earrings, .925 Sterling Silver.

Carnelian Cluster Earrings,
'Chiang Rai Feast'

*NOVICA: who works in association with National Geographic, searches the world to work directly with the finest artisan designers.

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts IX

Lanna Cultures & Traditions (cont.):

Lanna Cultures & Traditions are related to Lanna Crafts which some crafts are from its traditions, for example, a kind of wooden utensil in northern Thailand (called in Thai as ‘Khantoke’) is a food ware set for Lanna dining culture & tradition. Today, we will continue on Lanna Cultures & Traditions from the latest post ‘Culture & Tradition about Birth’ as follows:

Pictures of wood Khantoke

Pictures of bamboo Khantoke

- Culture & Tradition about Dining, the main course of Lanna meal will include sticky rice or glutinous rice and one or two things to eat with which might be soup or chili paste or dressed salad, etc. In conventional, Lanna people will set the family group to sit around at the patio or terrace connected to the house for the dining. In the present day, some families set the dining room for this purpose.

However the basic or general utensils for Lanna dining are:

- Khantoke or Satoke (Thai words) is an essential set of food containing wares, a bit high from the ground for food to be higher from ground, made of wood with many sizes.

- A deep cup for soup

- Flat bowl or plate for grill, fried, roasted foods

- Spoon, in the past they used coconut shell or bamboo to make spoon, and had only one spoon for a Khantoke set.

- Rice box, in the past it was made of bamboo lining inside with bamboo sheath to prevent the moisture and keep the heat. In present, they use a cooler lining with thin cloth for longer heat preserving.

Every food will be put on the Khantoke set, the amount depends on the appropriate number of people.

For the good dining manner and pattern, there will be laid mat at the patio or terrace, the Khantoke set will be put on this mat with washing hand water and napkins. Everyone in the family will be called to sit around the Khantoke set, it’s very important that the parents or the most eldest of family will be the first one who starts the meal, then the youngers follow. There are many polite sitting manners for dining; the man will sit by cross-legged, the lady will sit with legs tucked back to one side. To eat the sticky rice, they will use hand to keep the appropriate amount of rice in the palm, shape into ball-liked to fit to the mouth.

Impolite dining manners or prohibitive manners are farting during the meal, spitting, speaking about disgusting things, teasing or playing to each other, quarrelling, laughing, gossiping, knocking the spoon on bowl, plate or Khantoke set, stirring the soup till it spills out, choosing by spoon only what own likes, eating or dipping only the middle of rice or food, trimming, licking or kissing rice or food at fingers or utensils.

There is no dessert or snack for traditional Lanna dining meal, but it might be some fruit or boiled corn or peanuts.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

Gold plated amethyst
flower earrings,
'Chiang Rai Bouquet'

- ‘Gold plated amethyst flower earrings, 'Chiang Rai Bouquet'', from NOVICA*, captures the essence of Thai feminine elegance with the design of these earrings. The florid half hoops are crafted by hand with 24k gold plated sterling silver. Crystalline amethyst dewdrops add a touch of sophistication with 2 carats. .925 Sterling silver.

*NOVICA: who works in association with National Geographic, searches the world to work directly with the finest artisan designers.

Chiang Mai and Northern
Thailand (Other Places
Travel Guide)

- ‘Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand (Other Places Travel Guide)’, by T. F. Rhoden, T. F. Rhoden has spent seven years exploring this fascinating country as an aid worker on the Thai-Burma border. Through his unique experiences, Rhoden provides insight into the country that has become his second home. With a comprehensive background section covering the history, culture, and logistics of travel, and sixteen sections dedicated to each stop on his recommended travel route, this book will allow travelers to feel like locals while enjoying the indisputable beauty that the North has to offer.

(To be continued)