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Buddhist festival firecracker ceremony

About this recording

Creator

Kristin Post

Date created

September 27, 2000

Duration

2:19

Location

Trang, Thailand

File

MP3

License

This recording copyright ©2000. Terms of use

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In the classroom

Part of a ten day vegetarian festival in Trang, Thailand. This is an evening event held at the temple that acts as a fundraiser and opportunity for people to get together. The final event of the evening is when several bamboo poles of firecrackers are detonated. At the beginning of this recording, you can hear Hans from Netherlands explaining what is going on. He comments that the people near the front are too close to the fireworks, and will end up running away. He also warns me that when the fireworks come, it will be too loud for my microphone. Which it is. He goes on to talk about another part of the ten day ceremony, where teenage boys receive “piercings” and walk around town, offering blessings. Also in this ceremony, it is believed that the “brides” who are in the courtyard are in trance.

From my journal:

People have to sit on newspapers because it’s raining. Has school assembly sort of feel. Everyone is wearing the same thing, standing in groups, chatting. then one “bride” comes out shaking her head. In the middle of the courtyard is a “shelter” where a fire is going in a pot, and somebody periodically waves green leaves through it. Everyone has incense sticks- two feet long.

Back to the “bride.” Then more brides. Then shaking boys- hard to see. Then fireworks, which had been wrapped around 12 foot poles. Then hang the candle on the bamboo. Music, drumming. More people fill courtyard. Once candles are up, can’t help but feel like the big one is gonna happen.

Big one is huge. To have so many fireworks going off at the same time, making a body-shaking racket and sparks everywhere. It’s a stunning experience. Especially when one pole falls, and when big fireworks go off, people have to run away. Just the way the flames would burst (with sound) was awe-inspiring. But annoyingly loud.

The people in the middle (courtyard) are huddled together, flags used to protect [themselves] from sparks. Have to light some poles that went out. Then it’s over. People stream out. Incense bonfire. Some people still in trance, dispensing blessings. Must kneel down or “wai” before them.

Transcript

Hans

So the people who sit in the front sit not very good. We see very good here.

Ani

[inaudible off microphone.]

Hans

think it’s heavy for this little microphone. It’s the loudest you’ll ever hear.

Kristin

maybe it’s too much for my ears…

Hans

but also that’s not far enough…they will all come here.

Kristin

First the ladies in white come out, and they’re in trance.

Hans

These people there, looks different. You not can see here. That’s maybe people who make the piercing. They have mostly colors red or yellow. Not t-shirts with long arm. Something around the neck. Some towel or whatever. Chinese flags. And mostly a friend to take care of him or help him. Because he is in trance and he speak a language nobody can understand, it’s a language from the Paradise. Sometimes he write with water something on paper, nobody can read it, but they write it down and give it to you. This time all the hotels and shops make an altar in front. Also we do it, and you take a water or something to drink, tea. Some fruits, pineapples, bananas, apples, whatever. And the peoples comes there in trance, and takes some. And maybe they give you, or another people. And that means good luck, good future.