Transcript Phi Ta Khon Festival

Phi Ta Khon Festival
By
Name Tunchanok keankweaw
Name Thakun
No. 9
Charoenpiboon No. 16
Mattayom 5/9
Present
Teacher Jantana Khamanukal
Kanchanukroh School Kanchanaburi
July 1, 2006. The annual festival (Phi Ta
Khon) is held as the locals believe that the
spirits will help to provide rain for rice
cultivation and prosperity to their families.
Villagers wearing ghost outfits parade in the
streets during the annual Friendly Ghosts
Festival in Dan Sai district of Loei province.
Phi Ta Khon festival reflects the local Isaan
belief in ghosts and spirits. Held once a year in
Dan Sai district in Loei Province, it is part of a
grand merit-making festival known as the
"Boon Luang" festival. Part of the activities
includes young men dressed up as "spirits"
wearing long trailing costumes made from
colourful strips of cloth sewn together.
The origins of the Phi Ta Khon Festival can be
found in the tale of Lord Buddha‘s last incarnation
before attaining Enlightenment. In Buddhist
accounts, it is said that when Prince Vessandara,
the Buddha‘s penultimate incarnation, returned to
his city, it was such a joyous occasion that the
village spirits came forth to join the welcoming
parade.
This very colourful and vibrant Phi Ta Khon
procession is the central focus of the celebrations.
The first day of the festival involves religious
ceremonies performed at the temple while the
second day is a parade of young men in hideouslooking Phi Ta Khon mask—the masks are made of
dried sticky rice painted in bright colours.
The clanging sound of the square
cowbells worn around the waist
announces the presence of the spirits
who wield phallic-shaped longhandled swords decorated with red
paint. The good-natured, fun-loving
spirits mingle among the crowd,
teasing and amusing all who take part
in the procession. Spectators and
visitors are welcome to join in the fun.
Activities
Phee Takone or Takone Ghost is a kind of
game played in the royal merit making an
annual merit-making ceremony of Dan Sai
District, Loei Province.
The villagers do not only play the game for
fun, but also to beg for rain. Highlights of the
festival are the identity in wearing the festival
costumes.
A part of these costumes is the ghost-look
masks, which are made of the northeasternstyle “Huad”, triangular-shape, sticky-rice
cookers. These are painted in beautiful, vibrant
colors. The players wear these “ghost” masks
and costumes made of pieces of cloth. The
costumes are punctured to allow two holes for
the player’s hands.
Each “ghost” carries his own weapon. He also has
“Mark Kalaeng,” a square-shape metal object,
similar to a bell, tied to his waist.
The activities begin early morning of the first day,
with the placing of the Phra Uppa Gupta image on
the altar, a procession carrying God Guan and
Goddess Nang Tiam.