Map Sabai Vol.33
In this month's feature edition of Map Sabai (Vol.33)
Cover Photo: Scented Water Set for Rod Nam Dam Hua
Songkran - Thai New Year
The origins of Songkran and typical rites
Art Space
Featured Artist: Phanthong Saenchan
Featured: Songkran - Thai New Year
The origins of Songkran Festival
The Songkran Festival marks the celebration Thai New Year and officially stretches over four days from April 13th – 15th. It includes the celebrations of the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year, set on April 15th. The term ‘Songkran’ is derived from Pali language and refers to the movement of the sun from Aries to Taurus, marking the beginning of a new astrological year.
The Thai New Year is the product of astrological and lunar features as incorporated in Buddhist philosophy, as well as features from the old Siam lunar calendar which is based on the annual farming season.
The origins of the Thai lunar calendar go back to the Tai people, who migrated to present-day Thailand from southern China long before the foundation of Thailand. Their calendar was lunar and based on the farming cycle of their area, with the first lunar month being late November-early December, and the twelfth lunar month being late October-early November. Over time, though, with the Tais’ migration, change in farming cycles and the adoption of astrological and lunar features from Buddhism, the Thai New Year came to be celebrated in April, the fifth month of the Thai lunar calendar.
Typical Songkran Rites
Songkran Parade
The Songkran parade traditionally takes place on the 13th of April, or Wan Sangkhan Lhong. It includes revered Buddha images being carried through the streets for people to sprinkle scented water on. In Chiang Mai, the Buddha statue being paraded is Phra Phuttha Singh which is housed at Wat Phra Singh.
Sand Chedis
On the second day of the Songkran Festival, Wan Nao, people in Chiang Mai traditionally go to the Ping River to collect sand which is used to construct decorated sand chedis in the temple compounds.
Cleansing of Buddha images
The third day, known as Wan Prayawan, is the first day of the new year. Families traditionally sprinkle scented water on Buddha images at home and at the temples and give food and other goods to the monks as part of their merit making.
Rod Nam Dam Hua
Rod Nam Dam Hua, practiced on the third and fourth day of the festival, Wan Bpaak Bpee, is an important ceremony for people to pay respect to their ancestors, elders and honored people. During the celebration, flower-scented water is poured over the hands of the person being paid respect who in turn express good wishes and words of blessing for the New Year. The water symbolizes cleansing, refreshment of the spirit and all good things associated with life.
Tying of Strings
The ritual of the tying of strings involves the tying of strings around the wrists of others and expressing good wishes for the New Year. While tying the strings, the person recites short prayers and blessings for the receiving person.
White Powder
The ritual of applying white powder to another person’s face is one of the oldest Songkran traditions. The white paste is a sign of protection to ward off evil and is usually applied to various parts of the face, neck and torso of others.
