Map Sabai Vol.39
In this month's edition of Map Sabai (Vol.39)
Cover Photo:
Plenty of Vegetables for Vegetarian Days at Warorot Market
Feature Story:
Vegetarian Days in Chiang Mai
Art Space:
Featured Artist: Santi Vipaka
Feature:
Vegetarian Days in Chiang Mai
For those of us who prefer the vegetarian way of life, Chiang Mai offers plenty of opportunities this month to indulge in meatless cuisine with ease and pleasure. Talk is about the traditional Vegetarian Days, which will be held throughout the city from September 29 to October 7.
For a better understanding of this special festival, a closer look at vegetarianism prevalent in Thailand may be helpful. Broadly speaking, there are two main forms of vegetarian food commonly available:
‘Aharn mang-sa-wi-rat’ (อาหาร มังสะวิรัด), as widely known in the West, does not contain meats, but can include eggs and milk products. It is available in many vegetarian-friendly restaurants throughout Chiang Mai, as well as in ordinary restaurants upon special order. (order ‘Mai sai nuea sat’ ไม่ใส่เนื้อสัตว์)
For a better understanding of this special festival, a closer look at vegetarianism prevalent in Thailand may be helpful. Broadly speaking, there are two main forms of vegetarian food commonly available:
‘Aharn mang-sa-wi-rat’ (อาหาร มังสะวิรัด), as widely known in the West, does not contain meats, but can include eggs and milk products. It is available in many vegetarian-friendly restaurants throughout Chiang Mai, as well as in ordinary restaurants upon special order. (order ‘Mai sai nuea sat’ ไม่ใส่เนื้อสัตว์)
‘Aharn je’ (อาหาร เจ ), on the other hand, is similar to vegan food and particularly popular among Thai people. Strongly influenced by Chinese tradition, this type of food goes beyond meatless cuisine, in that it does not contain any products derived from animals, nor garlic or onions. People who follow this diet do so not only for health reasons but also as part of their spiritual practice, as it is believed to cleanse both body and mind.
The Vegetarian Days to a large extent have their roots in spiritual tradition, as the festival also marks the end of the Buddhist Lent, the traditional three-month rainy season retreat during which Buddhists ought to adopt a more ascetic life-style, renouncing meat, alcohol and smoking. Correspondingly, the type of vegetarian food typically consumed during this time is ‘Aharn je’.
Whether or not one is vegetarian or shares the aforementioned beliefs, ‘Aharn je’ provides a tasty alternative to ordinary food once in a while. It is widely available throughout Chiang Mai in specially designated restaurants easy to recognize by their yellow-red signs outside.
