Learning Thai

The Songkran holiday is in full swing now and we're enjoying the relaxed schedule, festive atmosphere, and of course, the water fights. (In Thai, it's referred to as len naam, which translates as "water play" - a much better description than "fighting.")

This morning our neighborhood had a traditional Songkran celebration so Eliza and I went to check it out. It was very interesting and instructive to see the religious and community orientation that's at the heart of this holiday.

Before we got there the monks had performed a religious ceremony (and I assume were also fed a meal). Then the people lined up to pour water over the hands of the monks.

After that, the elderly people from the community sat in a row and the younger people poured water over their hands (and on their shoulders). This is a show of respect and the older people would then splash water on the younger people and bless them - wishing a happy and prosperous new year. I suppose that all of the other "water play" that's such a fun and visible part of the holiday has its origins here - in pouring water as a way of blessing and paying respect. This is a great example of the way that Thai culture can incorporate fun and a little mishcieviousness into a meaningful ceremony.

Eliza wanted to join in. Here she's pouring water on the hands of our landlady, Urai (while someone else pours water down the back of her neck).

Then she went down the row; showing her respect for her elders.

We were also "blessed" numerous times and went home soaking wet and plastered with powder and flower petals.

Then we picked up Claire and went out to the end of our street to join some other kids in spraying water at passing buses, cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.

-Tom