Loy Krathong Festival
The full moon of November marks the Thai Festival of Loy Krathong which is a special day for giving thanks to the waters of the rivers, canals, lakes, and oceans which provide us water for cooking, cleaning, drinking and apologizing for all the pollution humans cause.
"Loy" means "to float" and a "Krathong" is a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, three joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.
The festival is of Brahmin origin in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water. It is believed that the Krathongs carry away sins and bad luck, and the wishes that have been made for the new year due to start.
A beauty contest is an important part of the festival and for this occasion it is called "The Noppamas Queen Contest". Noppamas is a legendary figure from the Sukhothai period about 700 years ago. Noppamas was the chief royal consort of a Sukhothai Kng named "Lithai". She was said to have made the first decorated Krathong to float in the river on the occasion. The King liked it so much he decided to make the ritual an annual festival.
In honor of Loy Krathong, the GVI Team learned how to make traditional 'Krathongs' at the Ao Luk Library. The librarians along with Thai teachers from the Ao Luk Non-Formal Education Centre came out to help teach the art of 'Krathong' making. In about 2 hours everyone had turned out some amazingly stunning 'Krathongs'.
In the evening there was a big fair at the nearby temple. Hundreds of locals came out and GVI's expedition members and staff joined friends and students from the community to take part in the festival. Floating their 'Krathongs' in the river, watching the Miss Noppamas Contest, which young local women took part in and sampling Thai snacks and sweets, the day provided endless cultural opportunities.
"Loy" means "to float" and a "Krathong" is a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, three joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.
The festival is of Brahmin origin in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water. It is believed that the Krathongs carry away sins and bad luck, and the wishes that have been made for the new year due to start.
A beauty contest is an important part of the festival and for this occasion it is called "The Noppamas Queen Contest". Noppamas is a legendary figure from the Sukhothai period about 700 years ago. Noppamas was the chief royal consort of a Sukhothai Kng named "Lithai". She was said to have made the first decorated Krathong to float in the river on the occasion. The King liked it so much he decided to make the ritual an annual festival.
In honor of Loy Krathong, the GVI Team learned how to make traditional 'Krathongs' at the Ao Luk Library. The librarians along with Thai teachers from the Ao Luk Non-Formal Education Centre came out to help teach the art of 'Krathong' making. In about 2 hours everyone had turned out some amazingly stunning 'Krathongs'.
In the evening there was a big fair at the nearby temple. Hundreds of locals came out and GVI's expedition members and staff joined friends and students from the community to take part in the festival. Floating their 'Krathongs' in the river, watching the Miss Noppamas Contest, which young local women took part in and sampling Thai snacks and sweets, the day provided endless cultural opportunities.
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