Lanna Happenings: November 2011

It was a real pleasure to provide a Thai style wedding for recent honeymooning guests Andrew and Michelle from Birmingham, England. It is always special to have guests who want to experience local customs and interact with local villagers. Prior to their arrival Michelle and Andrew indicated an interest in experiencing a local wedding ceremony. We therefore contacted the resident practitioner of ceremonies or Maw Sukwan to set an auspicious date and time. In the meantime Sermsri arranged for a baci tray to be made and gathered the requisite ceremonial items including two specially prepared chickens. The centerpiece of the northern Thai wedding is a soul calling (sukwan or baci) ceremony. It is believed that a person has 32 spirits (kwan) which can wander about and hence at auspicious times (such as weddings or traveling etc.) they are "called" and ceremonially bound back to the person so that the new endeavor is begun with ones full faculties. The spirits are enticed back to the person(s) via their linkage by strings to the Baci Tray which is attractive to spirits owing to its beautiful construction with flowers and banana leaves and its containing items spirits like such as flowers, incense, candles, whiskey, cigarettes, sweets, fruits, rice, and specially prepared chicken. By chanting, the Maw Kwan first calls the spirits back and then with appropriate words will extend wishes for good health, protection from accidents, a long and happy marriage etc. The spirits and wishes will be bound to the participants by strings from the baci tray tied around the wrists. Then in turn those witnessing the ceremony will extend verbally their own good wishes and at the same time bind those wishes via strings around the wrist. This is perhaps the most meaningful and moving part of the ceremony where each person in turn can directly verbalize their own sentiments to the newlyweds.