Family and friends gather
around to say their final goodbyes to Jao Saen, their beloved water
buffalo.
Theerarak
Suthathiwong
It was a solemn day in Nongprue. Four monks had come
to pray with a bereaved Suthee Thupthim and his mourning family.
Their beloved water buffalo, Jao Saen, had died.
The 53-year-old homeowner held a full funeral for the
20-year-old bull, draping the animal in holy cloth. It was laid in a
five-meter deep grave about four meters long and two wide. Deputy
Nongprue Secretary Lt. Pramod Thupthim was there to give it the official
approbation.
Suthee said he bought Jao Saen last year after its
mother was killed and the water buffalo was sick. He nursed it back to
health with food and milk and it was then he realized how smart the
animal was, he said. It was an obedient creature and seemed attached to
Suthee as well, often following him around as he did errands.
The two, he said, shared a bond and he made merit
with a ceremony after the ox died in hopes they might one day meet
again.
