Phi Ta Khon ( th, ผีตาโขน; phǐi taa khǒn; ) is a festival held in Dan Sai, Loei province,

Isan Northeast Thailand or Isan ( Isan/ th, อีสาน, ; lo, ອີສານ; also written as Isaan, Isarn, Issarn, Issan, Esan, or Esarn; from Pali ''īsānna'' or Sanskrit ईशान्य ''īśānya'' "northeast") consists of 20 prov ...

, Thailand. The events take place over three days sometime between March and July, the dates being selected annually by the town’s

medium Medium may refer to: Science and technology Aviation *Medium bomber, a class of war plane *Tecma Medium, a French hang glider design Communication * Media (communication), tools used to store and deliver information or data * Medium of ...

s. The whole event is called ''Bun Luang'', part of a Buddhist

merit-making Merit ( sa, puṇya, italic=yes, pi, puñña, italic=yes) is a concept considered fundamental to Buddhist ethics. It is a beneficial and protective force which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts, or thoughts. Merit-making is important ...

holiday also known as ''Bun Phawet'' (assembly day). The town’s residents invite protection from ''Phra U-pakut'', the spirit of the

Mun river The Mun River ( th, แม่น้ำมูล, , ), sometimes spelled ''Moon River'', is a tributary of the Mekong River. It carries approximately of water per year. Geography The river begins in the Khao Yai National Park area of the Sankam ...

. They then hold a series of games and take part in a procession wearing

mask A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance, or entertainment and often they have been employed for rituals and rights. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and pra ...

s made of the sheaths or bottom part of thick palm leaf stems. Bamboo sticky rice steaming baskets are stitched onto the tops of the sheaths to make the top section of the mask. Artists paint the masks with very creative and intricate designs and add carved wooden noses and ear-like appendages. The dancers wear loose and colorful

patchwork Patchwork or "pieced work" is a form of needlework that involves sewing together pieces of fabric into a larger design. The larger design is usually based on repeating patterns built up with different fabric shapes (which can be different colors) ...

pants and shirts, with strings of bells hanging down from their belts, in the back. They tease the spectators with big wooden phalluses. The origins of this part of the festival are traditionally ascribed to a story of the Vessantara Jataka in which the

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in L ...

in one of his past lives as a prince made a long journey and was presumed dead. The celebrations on his return were so raucous as to wake the dead. Phi Ta Khon Festival - Thailand Tourism
The second day of the festival incorporates elements of the

Rocket Festival The Rocket Festival ( th, ประเพณีบุญบั้งไฟ, translit=Prapheni Bun Bang Fai, lo, ບຸນບັ້ງໄຟ, translit= Bun Bang Fai) is a merit-making ceremony traditionally practiced by ethnic Lao people near ...

, plus costume and dance contests and more parades. On the third and final day, the villagers listen to

sermons A sermon is a religious discourse or oration by a preacher, usually a member of clergy. Sermons address a scriptural, theological, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law, or behavior within both past and present contexts. E ...

from

Buddhist monks A ''bhikkhu'' (Pali: भिक्खु, Sanskrit: भिक्षु, ''bhikṣu'') is an ordained male in Buddhist monasticism. Male and female monastics ("nun", ''bhikkhunī'', Sanskrit ''bhikṣuṇī'') are members of the Sangha (Buddhist ...

References

External links

{{commonscat, Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival
The Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival - Assumption University

Thai folklore Buddhist festivals in Thailand Isan culture Buddhist holidays March observances April observances May observances June observances July observances Holidays and observances by scheduling (varies)

See also

References

External links