Beautiful goddesses follow the head deity in a procession around the
festival grounds to inspect the food on offer.
Staff reporters
With water guns thankfully packed away for another year,
Naklua residents brought the annual Songkran festivities to an exciting
close April 20 with the traditional “Kong Kao” (rice harvest) festival,
offering food and sweets to the spirits in a centuries-old tradition to pray
for prosperity in the coming year.
Participants young and old dressed up in Thai traditional
costumes to march in a cheerful parade and pay respect to gods and goddesses
people believe protect them throughout the year.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome presided over the event attended
by top bureaucrats, city council members and the public.
The day started with afternoon activities such as a
slingshot competition, hoop takraw and a four-meter oily post climbing
competition for adults and a 2-meter oily post for youngsters. The bamboo
poles were greased with oil and had 500-baht notes attached to the tops for
the winning climbers to grab.
The always amusing “sea-boxing”, where kids balance
precariously on a horizontal pole trying to knock their competitor off
before losing their balance and falling into the drink, drew plenty of
mirth.
A “Tri Bhumi” performance depicting heaven, earth, and
hell delighted the audience. The ancient fighting art of “kratoa tang sua”
was also a highlight.
Later people arrived with food and desserts and decorated
Lan Pho Park for the official ceremony. While waiting for it to start the
city put on traditional Thai dancing and boxing shows.
The worship ceremony started with the lighting of candles
and incense to worship gods and goddesses. This was to invite them to come
out and bless the people, as well as enjoy the food put out on their behalf.
The origins of the Kong Kao ceremony are hazy, but it has
been held during Songkran for generations to ask for the gods’ protection
and blessings. In times past, villagers believed that guardian spirits and
angels watched over them, and at the time of the New Year they offered food
in the belief that the spirits would be pleased and that happiness and
prosperity would be assured for another year. It also is a way to bring the
community together in peace and harmony, something sorely lacking in
Thailand these days.
After the ceremony, food collected is equally shared
among the ceremony attendants.
Free food and drink were plentiful and Mike Piromporn, a popular country
singer, entertained all in a well-received mini-concert.
Beautiful Thai dancers perform to appease the gods.
Devils
swoop in to gather and eat the food and desserts.
By
knocking his opponent into the drink, the red corner wins!
Sea
boxing is always good for a hearty belly-laugh.
Naklua
residents, young and old, prepare food and desserts for the spirits.
Mayor
Itthiphol Kunplome takes part in the procession.
Beautiful goddesses saunter past the audience.
The head
deity leads the procession to inspect the food on offer.
With the
help of his friends, will this youngster reach the 500 baht prize at the top
of the greased pole?
He does!
Approximately 50 slingshot contestants entered the competition to compete
for the 5,000 baht first prize.
Athletes
compete in the hoop takraw competition.
