Lamduan Festivals 2
Read More
At Sisaket's annual Lamduan Festival, the Khmer who live in the province take part in the ceremonies, bringing offerings and making their entrance in a ritual procession that they interrupt at times with traditional dancing, all to honor their ancestors' spirits. Khmer culture in Thailand dates back to at least the 7th century, when the Khmer empire, emanating from present-day Cambodia, began to spread into what is now northeast Thailand, eventually dominating vast areas of the central plains and southern peninsula as well.
Khmer women making their ceremonial entrance to the festival
Traditional music meets electronic amplification at the festival.
A crowd gathers to watch the opening of a performance by Suay dancers.
Lamduan Festival ThailandSuay in IsaanSuay in SisaketSuay dancing
These two Suay women lead a ritual procession honoring the spirits of their ancestors.
Lamduan Festival ThailandSuay dancingSuay in IsaanSuay in Sisaket
Dancers taking part in the Suay ceremonial dance
Lamduan Festival ThailandSuay dancingSuay in IsaanSuay in Sisaket
The Suay are thought to have been the earliest group to settle in the region of present-day Sisaket. Archaeological evidence indicates that there were thriving communities in the lower Isaan area of today's Sisaket Province as long ago as the late Iron Age, some 1,500–2,500 years ago.
Lamduan Festival ThailandSuay dancingSuay in IsaanSuay in Sisaket
The ritual ceremony in which the women are performing seeks the help or guidance of an ancestral spirit, whose assistance may also be called on to assure a successful growing season and harvest.
Lamduan Festival ThailandSuay dancingSuay in IsaanSuay in Sisaket
The doll-like dummy that the two women have brought will serve as a vessel into which the ancestral spirit can enter.
Lamduan Festival ThailandSuay dancingSuay in IsaanSuay in Sisaket
A shaman-like elder, right, bears offerings for the effigy. He will sprinkle water on its head, a gesture of respect intended to encourage the spirit to enter the figure and offer benevolent direction to the people.
Lamduan Festival ThailandSuay dancingSuay in IsaanSuay in Sisaket
As part of the festival, historical house styles are recreated by each of the four tribes. Seen here and in the next photo are views of a typical early Khmer home, with sleeping room on one side, kitchen on the other. The thatched-roof structure has walls and floors made from bamboo strips.
Interior view of a typical early Khmer home
Thatched-roof house in early Suay style
