![Kuman Thong](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Kuman_Thong.jpg)
''Kuman Thong'' ( th, กุมารทอง) is a household divinity of
Thai
Thai or THAI may refer to:
* Of or from Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia
** Thai people, the dominant ethnic group of Thailand
** Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in and around Thailand
*** Thai script
*** Thai (Unicode block ...
folk religion
In religious studies and folkloristics, folk religion, popular religion, traditional religion or vernacular religion comprises various forms and expressions of religion that are distinct from the official doctrines and practices of organized re ...
. It is believed to bring luck and fortune to the owner if properly revered. ''Kuman'', or ''Kumara'' (
Pali
Pali () is a Middle Indo-Aryan liturgical language native to the Indian subcontinent. It is widely studied because it is the language of the Buddhist ''Pāli Canon'' or ''Tipiṭaka'' as well as the sacred language of ''Theravāda'' Buddhism ...
) means "
Sanctified young boy" (female ''kumari''); ''thong'' means golden.
These beings are often worshipped to obey their worshippers for personal gains, protection, wealth and harm in some cases. It is believed to have consequences to each request.
Description
The veneration of Kuman Thong is not part of mainstream
Buddhist practices
Buddhism (Pali and sa, बौद्ध धर्म ''Buddha Dharma'') is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the ...
, but it is popular in
Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...
. Mainstream Buddhism does not recognize such practice. However, due to the widespread belief in animism in Thailand, Kumam Thong adopted Buddhist beliefs and mixed the two together.
Origins
The authentic Kuman Thong originated in a practice of
necromancy
Necromancy () is the practice of magic or black magic involving communication with the dead by summoning their spirits as apparitions or visions, or by resurrection for the purpose of divination; imparting the means to foretell future events; ...
. They were obtained from the desiccated fetuses of children who had died whilst still in their mothers' womb. The
witch doctor
A witch doctor (also spelled witch-doctor) was originally a type of Folk healer, healer who treated ailments believed to be caused by witchcraft. The term is now more commonly used to refer to Alternative medicine, healers, particularly in region ...
s were said to have the power to invoke these stillborn babies, adopt them as their children, and use them to help them in their endeavours.
According to ancient Thai manuscripts used by practitioners of
black magic
Black magic, also known as dark magic, has traditionally referred to the use of supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes, specifically the seven magical arts prohibited by canon law, as expounded by Johannes Hartlieb in 145 ...
( th, ไสยศาสตร์ ''Saiyasat''), first the unborn fetus was surgically removed from the womb of its mother. Then the body of the child would be taken to a cemetery for the conduction of the proper ceremonial ritual to invoke a Kuman Thong. The body was roasted until dry whilst the
witch doctor
A witch doctor (also spelled witch-doctor) was originally a type of Folk healer, healer who treated ailments believed to be caused by witchcraft. The term is now more commonly used to refer to Alternative medicine, healers, particularly in region ...
chanted incantations of magical script. Once the rite was completed, the dry-roasted Kuman was painted with Ya Lak (a kind of lacquer used to cover
amulet
An amulet, also known as a good luck charm or phylactery, is an object believed to confer protection upon its possessor. The word "amulet" comes from the Latin word amuletum, which Pliny's ''Natural History'' describes as "an object that protects ...
s and
Takrut
__NOTOC__
Takrut ( th, ตะกรุด) is a type of tubular amulet that originated from Thailand. It is also known as "Tangkai" in other cultures. The takrut is similar to a talisman ( ar, طلسم / transliterated: ).
The word ''Takrut'', is ...
with gold leaf). Thus this effigy received the name of ''“Kuman Thong”'', meaning “Golden Little Boy”.
Some Kuman effigies were soaked in
Nam Man Phrai, a kind of oil extracted by burning a candle close to the chin of a dead child or a person who died in violent circumstances or an unnatural death. This is much less common now, because this practice is now illegal if using fat from human babies for the consecrating oil. Occasionally there are still some amulets obtained through the authentic methods appearing in the market. Some years ago a famous monk was expelled from the Buddhist
Sangha
Sangha is a Sanskrit word used in many Indian languages, including Pali meaning "association", "assembly", "company" or "community"; Sangha is often used as a surname across these languages. It was historically used in a political context t ...
for roasting a baby. He was convicted, but later continued to make magic as a layperson after his release.
''Kuman Nee''
In the case of a female spirit child, the effigy is not called Kuman Thong, but ''Kuman Nee''
In literature
The Kuman Thong is mentioned in the Thai legend of
Khun Chang Khun Phaen
''Khun Chang Khun Phaen'' ( th, ขุนช้างขุนแผน, ) is a long Thai epic poem which originated from a legend of Thai folklore and is one of the most notable works in Thai literature. The work's entire length is over 20,000 ...
, where the character Khun Phaen made one by removing the stillborn baby from the stomach of his wife, whom he had killed.
Recent events
On May 18, 2012 a 28-year-old British citizen of Taiwanese origin, Chow Hok Kuen, was arrested in a Bangkok hotel room with six male fetuses that had been roasted and covered in gold. Police reported that Kuen intended to sell the fetuses in Taiwan for about 6,300 USD each.
In 2011, a case was reported in Laos of a man murdering his pregnant wife, so as to use the fetus as a "Louk Lord".
Hyper-realistic dolls of children (but not made out of real children), "Luk Thep" or "Look Thep" ("child angel"), have recently (2015) become popular in
Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...
. Some people believe the dolls can be injected with the spirit of a child after being blessed by a Buddhist monk. Their owners provide such care as food, water and clothes "in the hope of receiving good fortune in return", and some companies offer owners of the dolls the option to reserve them their own seats and services.
On 27 February 2021, a Vietnamese YouTuber, posted a video on asking for a "fora" from a Kuman Thong. This video was posted on
TikTok
TikTok, known in China as Douyin (), is a short-form video hosting service owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. It hosts user-submitted videos, which can range in duration from 15 seconds to 10 minutes.
TikTok is an international version ...
. After being posted, Thơ Nguyễn's video immediately encountered a wave of strong protests from parents. She was invited to work by the Internal Political Security Department under the
Ministry of Public Security because her video shows signs of spreading superstition. On 16 March, she was fined
VND 7.5 million for providing and sharing information that promotes superstition.
See also
*
Tai folk religion
The Tai folk religion, or Satsana Phi ( lo, ສາສະໜາຜີ, links=no; th, ศาสนาผี, links=no, , "religion of spirits"), or Ban Phi ( Ahom: 𑜈𑜃𑜫 𑜇𑜣) is a form of animist religious beliefs intermixed with Buddh ...
*
Spirit house
A spirit house is a shrine to the protective spirit of a place that is found in the Southeast Asian countries of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. The spirit house is normally in the form of smal ...
*
Shancai Tongzi
*
Mizuko kuyō
meaning "water child memorial service", is a Japanese Buddhist ceremony for those who have had a miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. It is also practiced in Thailand and China. This practice has become particularly visible since the 1970s wit ...
*
Sak Yant
Yantra tattooing or Sak Yant ( th, สักยันต์ ) is a form of tattooing using Indian yantra designs. It consists of sacred geometrical, animal and deity designs accompanied by Pali phrases that are said to offer power, protection, fo ...
* ''
Koan kroach
The ''koan kroach'' (Khmer: កូនក្រក, literally ''dried child'') is an esoteric Khmer amulet made from mummified fetuses "obtained from the forced removal of the fetus from a wife in her first pregnancy".
Description
The venerati ...
''
*
Domovoy
In the Slavic religious tradition, Domovoy (Russian: Домово́й, literally "he oneof the household"; also spelled ''Domovoi'', ''Domovoj'', and known as pl, Domowik or Serbian and ua, Домовик, translit=domovyk) is the household ...
References
External links
*
AmuletForums – Thai Amulets and Buddhism Online Discussion ForumsKuman Thong Category – Kuman Thong History and Examples(in Thai)Thai amulet websiteComplete Guide and How to Pray To Kumantong
{{Superstitions
Thai deities
Superstitions of Thailand
Folk religion
Tutelary deities