This
month, I wanted to share one of the loveliest and most popular festivals in
Thailand; it is called Loy Krathong. Dates
for this celebration fluctuate yearly, but they always coincide with November’s
full moon.
During
the festival, people make their way to their nearby klong (canal) or river in
the early evening hours and set their krathongs afloat. And what is a krathong? You may ask.
This
was our first Loy Krathong in Thailand and we also wanted to know all about the
krathongs and the reasons for the masses of people along the river. 'Loy' means
‘to float’ and 'krathong' means ‘leaf cup’.
Loy Krathong
is a Thankgiving festival to honor the Water
Goddess for providing a profusion of precious water for a bountiful harvest. Loy Krathong is a time when a yellow, full
moon is low in the sky and all the rivers and klongs are brimming over at the
end of the rainy season. Children and
adults alike float their krathongs in rivers, canals, even swimming pools,
believing this will bring good luck in the next harvest season. In the rural
areas, children flock to the rivers near their homes, some getting there on
motorbikes, water buffalo carts, or on foot; most making wishes for a better
future, good crops and clean, drinking water. In the city, wishes will vary but most will be
in agreement with good health and prosperity.
Krathongs are
small bowls made of either interwoven banana leaves or from paper
mache; some are made of bread dough and varnished with resin. Most children will make their own krathong
projects in school much the same way we make our own Valentines in February. krathongs may also be purchased in stores;
there are all kinds of different ones all over town. Once the krathong is made, flowers, a candle
and three incense sticks are placed in it.
All three are lighted before the krathong is placed on the water. People make a wish at the same time the
little vessel is released onto the water. Some believe that if the candle remains
burning until the krathong is out of sight, their wishes will come true. By the
end of the evening, there are hundreds of flickering lights bobbing up and down
rivers and canals all over Thailand. Firework displays as well as puppet shows
and beauty contests are also part of the celebrations.
Most
hotels along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok have special (and expensive)
events to celebrate the occasion with food, beautifully designed krathongs,
beauty pageants and cruises down the river to witness the glowing displays.
Loy Krathong is
a 700 year-old event
derived from the old Kingdom of Sukhothai, the first monarchy of what is now the
Thai peninsula.
The
first celebration hallmarked the monsoon season’s conclusion and the most
important rice harvest of the year. Historians observe that the festival parallels
a farming Hindu tradition of thanksgiving; a blessing of sorts, for the abundance
of rain water received.
In fact, Sukhothai
farmers created the practice of floating candles down rivers
and canals to carry their gratitude and best wishes to the water spirits; there’s
also the tale of a beautiful kingdom woman who made the first special lanterns
for the festival, she made them from banana leaves and shaped them like lotus
flowers. The king was impressed with what he saw, so he announced that
krathongs would be floated down all waterways every year from then on. Today,
the memory of that woman who made the first krathong is remembered in the beauty
contests that take place all over Thailand on Loy krathong Day.
Some people place
money in their krathongs, take a bow, and set them afloat along the crowded
waterways, chock full of wishes and dreams.
Once
krathongs are out of sight families play with fireworks and eat Tom Yum (a
delicious soup) with shrimp, lemon grass and rice. On the whole, it is a joyous
family day.
Following
are some accounts of Loy Krathong from some of the elementary school children I
work with.
Manee: “On Loy
Krathong I saw a full moon in the sky. I went to the river at the town hall. I
went with my father, mother and sister. I took a krathong I made at school. I
lighted the candle and incense sticks in my krathong. I pushed it away onto the
water and prayed. After I finished floating it, I played lucky dip. I got three
marbles, some sweets and toilet paper. I played with fire works and
firecrackers.”
Tanet: “On Loy Krathong
Day I went to the river by motorcycle. I went with my sister. I floated my
krathong in the river. I saw many salespeople selling krathongs, fireworks and
fire crackers. I took my krathong down to the river. I lighted the candle and
incense sticks. Afterwards, I played hide and seek. I bought three tickets for
30 baht. I won toilet paper and sweets.”
Sunatee: “I went to
Loy Krathong with my mother and my sister to the river. There was a full moon
in the sky and the water was high. Many people were there. We floated our
krathongs from a boat in the river. First we lighted the candle and incense
sticks. Then we took a vow for good luck. Then we pushed our krathongs away.
After we finished we ate in a restaurant. We ate rice noodle soup with
vegetables and meat. It was very delicious. Then we played lucky dip at the Red
Cross stall three times. We won a glass, a pen and a plate. Then we went home.”
Orawan: “Yesterday I
went to the river near my house with my family. We took our krathongs to float
on the river. I lighted the candle and incense sticks. I prayed and then I floated
my krathong. Afterwards, I bought some fireworks and fire crackers. I then played
with my sister and brother. At the river I met my friends. I chatted with them
for a while. Then I went to a restaurant with my family. We ate some rice and
chicken fried in fresh chili paste and basil.”
Have
a wonderful holiday season!
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