"Loy Krathong" is a Thai celebration taking place annually on the full moon night of the 12 th lunar month (which is always in November in the present calendar system). This tradition is somewhat like a "Thanksgiving" because in the past the Thai people depended a lot on the river (mae nam) and canal (klong). If the water was plentiful, their farms yielded good crops. Then people would be happy. Loy Krathong was the way to express their thanks to the River God.
Loy means "to float", and Krathong means "leaf cup".
The leaf cups are traditionally made of banana leaves and are used to hold a candle, flowers and incense sticks. It's stated in Thai literature that Miss Noppamas, a young lady who worked in the palace, was the first one who originated the present form of "krathong".
Some people believe that "Loy Krathong" is a way of asking the Mother of Waters (Mae Kongka) for forgiveness for having polluted the waters during the year, and also, in a sense, asking for the forgiveness of sins.
At ISB, our Elementary School Thai Language and Culture Teacher, Siriluck Hiri-O-Tappa, invited students fom the school in nearby Pakkret to a special assembly to celebrate Loy Krathong.
The visiting students treated us to a magical demonstration of their talents with the ang-ga-lung, an enchanting musical instrument made with bamboo, tuned (like a chime bar) and shaken.
We also had some Thai dancers visit, and show us a traditional interpretation of one of the legends about Loy Krathong.
The combination of elegant dance, local live music, and fun and festivity, made for yet another magical experience for all at ISB.
Loy Krathong. Sharing in culture at ISB.
