Reader Submission: Traditional Songkran
Last week there was a contribution about Songkran on Thailandblog. However, no reference was made to the traditional Songkran, not even in the many responses. Fortunately, here in Isan Songkran is mainly celebrated in the traditional way, that is, the elderly are honored in exchange for the necessary good wishes.
That is why there is also that huge population migration every year. Throwing water also happens here, of course, but it is the exception rather than the rule. For example, last year I went cycling 20 km on the first day of Songkran, but I did not see anyone standing along the road with water. No one at all. I was almost disappointed.
Given the advanced age of my wife and I, we are also eligible for such a tribute, and so we were visited every day from Thursday to Sunday by friends who sprinkled our hands with water from a silver-plated bowl in which jasmine floated. This was all done from a deferential crouching position. In a few cases, some water was even carefully poured over our shoulders. The youngest was 9 years old and the oldest were already over 50 years old.
Now I have no illusions that they came especially for me. Of course they came for my wife, who is now 65, and I will hitch a ride. The "realists" among the Thailandblog readers will probably think that the high turnout is because we are playing Sinterklaas here in Thailand. Sinterklaas is indeed a beautiful traditional party, but we don't do that in Thailand. Whether it really happens out of respect is of course the question, but it is in any case a beautiful tradition.
What can also be a factor in the rise is that we own a pond and have a nice island in that pond with palm and mango trees for the necessary shade and a kitchen and barbecue for the inner man. And Thai people love to drink and eat at the waterfront. So they like to visit us anyway. And usually they also bring bought or home-prepared food. Or they prepare it with us. And they usually bring their own drinks. Last Sunday a friend even brought a load of Hoegaarden. He had received it from a cousin whose studies he had paid for.
Submitted by Hans Ponk
In the related articles on Thailand blog I posted about the Songkran festival in Isaan.
It contains the more original Songkran thought.
Indeed, it can also be celebrated that way. Good thing, too.
Most foreign water smijters have no knowledge of this.
Same here in Chumphon Prov… After visiting the temple, in the early morning, many people go to the tessa lane of the village where I live. Here the elderly, who are over 80 and 90, are honored in a traditional Thai way. With a small, silver-plated bowl, water, with fragrant petals in it, is poured over the clasped hands and shoulders of the elderly. Messages of happiness are then spoken.
Personally, I go there every year and it is really appreciated. As a memento, like the other attendees, I get a pot of flowers to take home.
Then I take a bike ride through the village to give the children the chance to baptize a farang. Always a great experience, you first see them doubting whether they would dare to do it… a farang… after they have given a sign that it is possible, some water is thrown and you see them rushing in: go and tell them that they are going to have a farang grazed ….I enjoy it every time.