KKU’s procession of Buddha’s Relic on the occasion of Sithan KKU Festival 2019 followed by the floats of “Bucha Nak” followers
November 9, 2019, 17:00 hrs at Sithan Lake of Khon Kaen University – the opening ceremony of the first day of “Sithan KKU Festival 2019 – Boon Somma Bucha Nak” was held. The first day was under the concept of ‘faith’, thus featuring the procession of Buddha’s Relic to the festival venue for people to worship. The sacred procession was followed by performance floats, parades of the 15 families of the great “Naka”, and the representing parades from different departments with their ‘Khan Mak Beng’ and ‘Bai Sri’ trays to join the ceremony. The processions started in front of the Golden Jubilee Convention Center at 17:00 hrs, led by Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Pathongviriyakul, M.D., Acting KKU President and his wife, administrators, deans and representatives of organizations inside and outside KKU and moved towards the ceremonial stage where Buddha’s Relic was placed on an altar for people to pay homage during the 3 festival days.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niyom Wongpongkham, Vice President for Art, Culture, and Creative Economy said, “The Buddha Relic is a sacred asset of Khon Kaen University and we keep this at the Royal Temple Wat Phra That. Buddha Relic is a sacred item and something KKU folks and the people of Khon Kaen hold onto. The Buddha Relic is respectfully brought to the university on major ceremonious occasions for people to worship and will be brought back to the temple. From now on, we will only bring the Buddha Relic once every 4 years.”
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Pathongviriyakul, M.D., Acting KKU President led the administrators and representatives of different organizations to worship “Nak” at the Naga Pagoda by Sithan Lake. Brahman performed the rite according to the former belief, with presentation of worshipping items at the altar and dancing in front of Naga Pagoda miniaturized from the foundation form of Phra That Kham Kaen that has 4 directions of ‘Sum Jaranam’. Performers, who are students of Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, then danced to worship the 15 families of Naga. When the ceremony ended, Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Pathongviriyakul, M.D. and his wife then floated the worshipped items at Sithan Lake according to the ancient ritual and as indication for opening of “Sithan KKU Festival 2019 – Boon Somma Bucha Nak.”
The formal opening ceremony of “Sithan KKU Festival 2019 – Boon Somma Bucha Nak” was performed at 19:00 hrs. at the stage by the lake. The opening performance was “Heet Hoy Sattha Somma Bucha Nak” by students of Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, the performance designed specifically for this occasion and with inspiration from the Naga legend in Me Kong Sub-region. The opening ceremony was honored to have Mr. Pisit Srichana, Secretary of Minister of Ministry of Culture conveying the opening address; Mr. Worathat Thuleejan, Vice Governor of Khon Kaen making the welcoming speech and Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Pathongviriyakul, M.D., Acting KKU President making the reporting speech. Many other guests of honor joined the ceremony such as members of KKU University Council, Vice Mayor of Khon Kaen Municipality, Director of Thailand Tourism Office Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen Cultural Officer, President of Khon Kaen Cultural Association.
Mr. Worathat Thuleejan, Vice Governor of Khon Kaen said in his welcoming speech, “I appreciate Khon Kaen University for organizing this festival that truly promotes and nurtures Thai cultures, traditions and beliefs. Khon Kaen Province always retain these graceful traditions for people to see. Welcome all to Khon Kaen, the city of local wisdoms and all types of facilities.”
Mr. Pisit Srichana, Secretary of Minister of Ministry of Culture said in his opening address that Khon Kaen University, the Tourism Authority and Khon Kaen Cultural Office see the importance of cultures and tradition and draw alumni back to their institutions. The attempts in organizing of activities reflect KKU as the prototype of an institution where Isan children are molded and moved towards their success. “I hope that we will join again in the future to upgrade Sitha Festival towards ASEAN so that the member countries will come to join the ceremony with us. Thanks to Khon Kaen University for seeing the importance of culture that will being benefits to socio-economic conditions of our people.”
The opening ceremony also featured the opening performance under the title, “Nak Somma Bucha Nam”, which is a performance adapted from the ancient Isan literary legend called “Phya Khan Khak”. The performance was on the part when Phya Naga played in “Bok Kharani” pond to call for the rain. This is a belief of Isan people that Phya Naga will bring fertility. Performers were students of Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts.
A lot of people came to the first day of “Sithan KKU Festival 2019 – Boon Somma Bucha Nak” during the opening ceremony. Sithan road was the greatest point of interest with visitors coming to see Phya Naga lanterns decorated beautifully along the road. Many people also came to float their “krathong” and visited the various shops at the festival.
“Sithan KKU Festival 2019 – Boon Somma Bucha Nak” is held on November 9-11, 2019 at Sithan Lake of Khon Kaen University. Activities include art, culture and entertainment.
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News/ Photos: Udomchai Supannawong
[ Thai ]
