MON SONGKRAN FESTIVAL AT PHRA PRADAENG
April 22 – 24, 2011
Phra Pradaeng District Office, Samut Prakan
The Mon (or Raman, as they call themselves), are descendents of an advanced civilization. The Mons originated in Manipur, India, and later migrated to the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy in lower Burma where they created a powerful kingdom. Its position near the sea made it a gateway between India and Southeast Asia, contributing to its rise.
At its zenith in the 11th century, it was one of the most prosperous cultures in Southeast Asia. Its wealth, however, ultimately drew the covetous eyes of neighbours who were soon nibbling at the borders. Waves of Burmese invaders over several hundred years wore down Mon resolve. In the 18th century, the Mons were finally overwhelmed and absorbed into the Burmese realm.
While there are still pockets of Mon in Myanmar (Burma), large numbers fled to the Thai kingdom and were given sanctuary in places sites they often occupy to this day. They gained renown for their pottery and later as boatmen delivering goods to markets in Bangkok.
Although Mons are now Thai citizens, they continue to speak their unique language and keep alive Mon traditions. Traditional Mon Songkran celebrations provide the perfect opportunity to witness these time-honoured customs and traditions.
Thais and Mons have lived together in peace and harmony since the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya period. Both being Buddhists, Thais and Mons share much in common in terms of art and culture, customs, traditions, and way of life. For example, various Mon cultural elements, such as Mon cuisine and folk games, have become part of the Thai way of life.
Highlights and Activities
- Songkran traditions of the Ramen community: The Thai Raman Flag Ceremony and traditional Raman games such as 'saba', a pitch and toss game played with beans
- Miss Songkran Beauty Queen (Paklat) Parade and Contest
- Floral floats parade
- Procession of Raman maidens
- Raman dances
- Boat races
- Bathing ritual of Buddha images at temples
- The release of fish and birds in observance of ancient Buddhist merit-making customs
- Paying respect to elders and respected individuals
The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival differs from others in that it is held a little later than in most other locales. The Songkran rituals and celebrations here are held on the Sunday that follows after Songkran Day on April 13. Hence in 2011, the festival falls on April 22-24.
Songkran Phra Pradaeng Opening Ceremony will be held on 24 April from 09.30 am onwards.
Ancient traditions are still being observed and is a source of pride passed on to future generations.
THAI-RAMAN FLAG CEREMONY
Each village makes its own centipede flag, which is carried in a ceremonial flag procession along the road to be draped on the swan pillars at various temples. The flag, the symbol of the Thai-Raman people, is of Buddhist significance and incorporates the spirit of unity.
SABA
A demonstration of traditional Raman games such as saba, a pitch and toss game played with beans. Various indigenous games of Thai-Raman origin being staged in designated villages from 08.30 to midnight during the festival period.
In bon saba, a traditional Raman games, young Raman lads and lasses engage in a lively dialogue, accompanied by song and dance. This is a quaint custom, which is now rarely witnessed.
ORIGINS OF THE PHRA PRADAENG SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival, formerly known as the 'Pak Lat Songkran Festival', was similar to Songkran celebrated in the other regions of the country, with the notable addition of a colourful and elaborate Songkran procession staged by the Mon, or Raman, residents of Phra Pradaeng.
The highlight of the festival is a grand procession of floral floats carrying beautiful maidens dressed in a traditional Mon, or Raman, costume. Each holds a fish bowl in one hand and a bird cage in the other. Other maidens, accompanied by men dressed in traditional Raman costume of sarong and round-necked shirt and sash (the costume is called "choot loy chai"), walk in front of the 'Songkran beauty queen'. The fish and birds are released as an act of merit to ward off bad luck and bring prosperity.
Each year the Phra Pradaeng Songkran parade features between 10 to 20 processions. Each procession is made up of a Songkran vehicle decorated with beautiful flowers. The vehicle of the lead procession transports the incumbent Miss Songkran surrounded by her entourage. She is seated and holds a replica of the severed head of the Lord Tao Maha Songkran. The procession also includes a file of graceful girls dressed in traditional Thai-Raman costumes. Some of them hold a fishbowl; others hold a birdcage and the remainder walk ahead of the Songkran vehicle. They in turn are flanked by Raman youths dressed in Choot Loy Chai costumes, consisting of a sarong, round-necked shirt and scarf which is worn with the tails dangling behind. The men's job is to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Maha Songkran Procession
Most of the processions seen during the Songkran festival are cultural processions. However, the procession of the Tao Maha Songkran "head" is a unique aspect of the Songkran celebrations in the Phra Padaeng district of Bangkok.
The Tao Maha Songkran procession depicts the Tao Kabillabrama (pronounced Kabillaprom) Dhamma Kumar (Dhammabankumarn) folk legend.
According to legend, there was once a kind and benevolent diety who lived on Mount Krailaad and cared greatly for mankind. His name is Tao Kabillabrama (King Kabillabrama) or Tao Maha Songkran. He has seven daughters, each a goddess representing a day of the week. They are known collectively as Nang Songkran (Miss Songkran).
One day, Tao Kabillabrama heard about the exceptional talent of Thammabankumarn, a millionaire's son and challenged him to a contest in which Thammabankumarn had to correctly answer three questions or be beheaded if he failed to do so. On the other hand, if Thammabankumarn successfully answered all three questions, Tao Kabillabrama agreed to cut off his own head. Thammabankumarn was able to answer all three questions so Tao Kabillabrama had to keep his promise.
However, Tao Kabillabrama's head must not come into contact with the ground, air or water or natural disasters would occur. To maintain peace on earth, before he died, Tao Kabillabrama asked his seven daughters to take turns holding his head, each for a period of one year. Tao Kabillabrama's head was placed on a Wanfah pedestal and taken back to a cave in Mount Krailad . Every year, one of the daughters would bring the head down to the town for a procession.
Hence during the Songkran procession, the winner of the annual Nang Songkran/Miss Songkran beauty pageant is seen holding the head of Tao Maha Songkran.
Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangkok Office
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511
E-mail: tatbangkok@tat.or.th
Phra Pradaeng Municipality
Tel: +66 (0) 2463 4841 ext. 129-130
www.phrapradaeng.org
Credit: Tourism Authority of Thailand (www.tourismthailand.org)
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