THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SONGKRAN: ORIGINS OF THE FESTIVAL & THE CULTURAL VALUES BEHIND SONGKRAN
Songkran Day has been celebrated as New Year's Day in the Thai solar calendar since ancient times. The date coincides with the day the sun leaves Pisces and enters Aries, usually falling on April 13 of each year.
The word "Songkran" means a passage or course and refers to the position of the sun within the solar system. As the sun enters each of the houses of the zodiac constellation, a songkran cycle is completed. Over time, the use of the term has become more generic and Songkran is more commonly associated with the period when the sun enters Aries, in April. During this time, the sun is equidistant to the earth so there are an equal number of hours during the day and night, a phenomenon known as "mahasongkran" (the supreme cycle). This marks the beginning of the Thai new year.
Songkran is celebrated over a 3-day period.
APRIL 13 - WAN SANGKHAN LHONG
"Sangkarn Lhong day" marks the end of an era. Various activities are undertaken to "send off" the outgoing year. In the morning, merit-making rituals are performed and offerings are made to the Buddhist monks. Spring-cleaning and personal cleansing are also part of this "renewal" process. Later in the day, Buddha images are bathed with lustral water in a gesture of respect. The religious ceremonies include a procession of Buddha images through the city streets offering an opportunity for residents of the community to take part in the bathing rites. An annual "Miss Songkran" parade and floral floats are part of the popular festivities held to greet the Thai new year.
APRIL 14 - WAN NAO OR WAN DA
On April 14, the position of the sun is mid-way between Pisces and Aries. "Wan nao" or "Wan da" is a day of preparation as family members gather to help prepare offerings for the monks for the next morning. The afternoon is spent carrying sand into the 'wats' or temples. This is considered to be an auspicious day when everyone sports a happy face and avoids uttering words deemed inauspicious or bad-tempered. Merit-making continues in the morning with offerings being made to Buddhist monks. The world-famous Songkran water-splashing festive fun takes place all day helping revellers to beat the summer heat. In the evening, sand is brought to the temples for the building of sand stupas which are then decorated with colourful flags and flowers. The practice reflects an ancient belief that when an individuals walks away from a temple, particles of sand from the temple grounds are inadvertently carried away on one's shoes or sandals. The building of sand stupas for the temple is seen to be a practical way of replacing the sand lost and a merit-making act through which blessings are earned.
APRIL 15 - WAN PHYA WAN
April 15 marks the Thai New Year. This is the most important day of the Songkran New Year celebrations. It is a day traditionally spent making merit and performing charitable acts such as presenting offerings to the monks and listening to sermons, sprinkling holy water on Buddha images and monks, propping up the sacred Bo tree in the temple grounds, and calling on elders to receive their blessings.
A bathing ritual is observed in which lustral water is poured over respected elders in a gesture of respect and reverence. The seeking of their blessing or forgiveness for past wrong-doing is also implied. Additionally it is believed that through these acts of merit-making, loved ones, long-departed are endowed with blessings and good fortune. Last but not least comes the water-splashing ceremony and other festivities which is the most fun-filled part of the celebrations.
The religious ceremonies and folk rituals associated with Songkran are principally performed to bring good luck and prosperity. The rituals are also acts of gratitude and indebtedness undertaken in the memory of those who have passed on to another world.
The Songkran activities that take place in various locations around the kingdom are culturally unique and reflect local beliefs and practices. Each offers varying elements of interest.
LANNA THAI SONGKRAN FESTIVAL IN CHIANG MAI APRIL 13 - 15, 2007
- Wat Phra Singh Voramahaviharn Temple
- Tha Phae Gate
- Provincial Governor's residence
- Around the city moat and at various other locations throughout the city of Chiang Mai
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES
- Phra Buddha Sihing procession
- Buddha images bathing ritual
- Merit-making activities and presentation of offerings to Buddhist monks
- Lanna Thai cultural performances
- Folk games
- Sand-stupa building contest
- Songkran water-splashing
 | One of the best places to experience Songkran is in Chiang Mai, where it is celebrated on a grand scale with a flavour uniquely and entirely its own, attracting visitors from far and wide. This year the festivities, scheduled for April 13-15, 2007, are centred around the Wat Phra Singh Voramahaviharn Temple, in the vicinity of the Tha Phae Gate, the Provincial Governor's residence and around the city moat. |
One of the highlights of the festival is the 'Songkran Beauty Queen Procession' that takes place on Songkran Day itself - April 13. Meanwhile, many other events leading up to the main attraction are spread over several days and it is here that the visitor gets to see various aspects of Chiang Mai, first hand, -- its culture, cuisine, arts and crafts, as well as the friendly people.
THE CULTURAL VALUES BEHIND SONGKRAN
The Cultural Values of the Songkran Festival are expressed through the various ceremonies and rituals. The meaningful aspects of Songkran are varied and culturally rich.
The first cultural value is "Thanksgiving" - The demonstration of gratitude and an expression of thanks to individuals who have have "done good" or shown goodwill and are worthy of respect and recognition.
Thanksgiving is demonstrated in ceremonial aspects of Songkran such as the bathing of Buddha statues with lustral water and the pouring of lustral water over the hands of elders and respected individuals, and other outward demonstration of respect.
The second cultural value is Loyalty to Ancestors. This is achieved through merit-making.
The third cultural value focuses on the an individual's sense of awareness of his/her responsibilities towards the family and home. It is demonstrated via the traditional custom of "spring cleaning".
The fourth value addresses the Value of Religion and highlights the well- defined roles and responsibilities of the "temples and monasteries" on the one hand and the community served by the religious institution.
Observance of this principle involves:
- Community involvement in the spring-cleaning of temples
- Meritmaking and offering food and alms to monks
- The bathing of Buddha statues and monks
- The construction of "chedis" or stupas and the decoration or beautification of temple surroundings
This is demonstrated by the preparation, exchange and sharing of food and desserts by members of the community and the sprinkling of water on each other. This is a gesture of hospitality shown as individuals attempt to "cool" each other off in the intense summer heat.
The sixth value is the Spirit of Co-Operation and Community Spirit demonstrated through the enthusiastic participation of individuals of demonstrated through the enthusiastic participation of individuals of the community in Songkran festivities, sharing in the fun, spreading happiness and goodwill to all.
The morning of Songkran Day begins with merit-making according to local customs and traditions. Younger folks make their way to show their respect and seek the blessings of elders and individuals of seniority by making offerings. The ritual which accompanies this show of respect is highly elaborate. Deep respect and reverence is shown to the highest institution of the Kingdom - the monarchy and members of the royal family, learned individuals in particular those who are "teachers" the providers of knowledge to students and elders recognised for their worldly experience and wisdom.
This gesture of respect manifests itself in the form of a colourful and vibrant procession. This is Songkran and not a moment's "sanuk" is to be missed. Bright colours, song and dance and festive fun is the order of the day.
Once the ceremonial gesture of respect has been shown and the good-spirited water-throwing is over, everyone returns home to "freshen up" and prepare for the evening's celebrations which consists of various performances and forms of entertainment. Not to be missed is the "Ram Wong" Thai folk dance. The "Ram Wong" enables everyone to join in the fun.
