Poy Sang Long is a traditional festival that is celebrated by the Shan people, an ethnic minority group in Thailand. The festival is held annually in the North of Thailand, and it is a major event for the Shan community. The festival takes place in the period of March-April, when people are generally free from work on the farm and schools have vacations.
Poy Sang Long is a Buddhist festival that celebrates the ordination of young boys into the monkhood. During the festival, young boys between the ages of 7 and 14 are dressed in traditional Shan attire and participate in a series of rituals and ceremonies. The festival is an important cultural event for the Shan people, and it is a time for the community to come together to celebrate their traditions and culture.
What is Poy Sang Long?
The Poy Sang Long festival is a traditional ceremony that takes place among the Shan people of Myanmar and Thailand. It is a rite of passage for boys between the ages of seven and fourteen, in which they are ordained as monks. The festival is popular among the Shan people, who are also known as Tai Yaian, and is a cultural tradition that has been introduced by Shan immigrants in Thailand. The word “Poy” refers to a religious event, while “Sang Long” means a young boy who is about to become a monk.
The festival is a transitional practice that marks a change in an individual’s status in society and is also translated as the “Ordaining the Beloved Sons”.
The Poy Sang Long festival is believed to have originated from the story of Prince Yahura, the first Buddhist novice and son of Buddha, who renounced his privileged lifestyle to follow in his father’s footsteps. The main focus of the festival is for young boys to take their monastic vows and begin their life in the monastery. The boys are taught about Buddhist teachings and the discipline expected of monks. After taking their vows, they must spend a certain amount of time at the monastery, ranging from a few days to several months.
The Poy Sang Long festival is celebrated in Thailand, specifically in the northern region where many Shan immigrants reside. The festival lasts for three days and is characterized by young boys dressed as princes, reminiscent of Gautam Buddha, being carried on the shoulders of older male family members. On the third day of the festival, the boys are ordained and spend a week in the monastery. During the three days of the festival, the boys’ feet should not touch the ground unless they are in the temple or at home. Relatives and friends are eager to see the boys during this time, as it is believed to bring good luck.
Cultural Significance of the Poy Sang Long Festival
The Poy Sang Long festival is an important cultural event for the Shan people, an ethnic minority group in Thailand. It is a traditional celebration that has been passed down through generations and is a time for the community to come together to celebrate their traditions and culture. The festival is a rite of passage for young boys, who are ordained as monks and taught about Buddhist teachings and the discipline expected of monks. It marks a significant change in their status in society and is a time for them to embrace their new roles and responsibilities as monks. The festival is also a time for the community to honor the Buddhist faith and traditions, as well as to seek blessings from the gods. Overall, the Poy Sang Long festival is a celebration of culture, tradition, and faith for the Shan people.
Where does the Festival Take Place?
This ceremony is held at two temples in Chiang Mai: Wat Pa Pao and Wat Ku Tao. Wat Ku Tao is usually attended by more than 50 boys. Wat Pa Pao usually hosts a smaller event. The parade on the final day is well worth seeing. There are numerous local temples in Chiang Mai that hold similar but smaller ceremonies. The ceremony at Wat Ku Tao is the largest, with more than 30 boys usually taking part.
- View location of Wat Pa Pao on Google Maps
- View location of Wat Ku Tao on Google Maps
Preparation Stages for Poy Sang Long
Prior to the Poy Sang Long festival, the organizers will hold a meeting to plan and prepare for the event. This includes obtaining necessary items such as alms, drums, and other instruments, as well as assigning roles to various participants. Some individuals will be responsible for preparing food for the monks, while others will serve as mentors for the young boys participating in the ceremony. The mentors, known as Tapae Sang Long in Shan, will take care of the boys by bathing, dressing, feeding, and protecting them, as well as accompanying them to different locations. Each boy may have 2-4 mentors. The boys will be trained by the abbot in the temple and will memorize the ordination blessing for 7-10 days before the ceremony.
In the lead-up to the festival, many people will come to the host’s home to help with the preparations. This includes providing welcoming foods and decorations for the alms and other items used in the procession. Some will help with decorating the boys’ umbrellas with colorful garlands and beautifying the Poy Sang Long venue. The hosts will offer food for the guests to share and the event will be decorated with lights and drumming in the evenings. On the day before the ceremony, the boys’ hair will be shaved and they will be given a purification bath with water infused with gold, silver, sompoi, and turmeric for good luck. They will be dressed in white and covered in powder.
How is Poy Sang Long Celebrated?
| Rup Sang Long (First Day) | On the first day of the Poy Sang Long festival, known as “Rup Sang Long”, the families of the boys gather together and exchange gifts, followed by a feast. The boys are then carried on the shoulders of a senior family member to the temple, where they are shaved and given a purification ritual with holy water. Afterwards, they are paraded around the temple with musicians playing instruments like flutes, drums, and cymbals. Each boy is accompanied by three attendants during the parade: one who carries him, one who holds an umbrella to shield him from the sun, and one who protects him and the jewels he wears. |
| Kham Kaek (Second Day) | The boys wear snow white turbans, and their families continue to celebrate with feasting and dancing. The boys are then led in a procession to the temple, where they pray to Buddha, present gifts to the resident monks, and seek their blessings. |
| Hae Khrua Lu (Third Day) | On the final day of the Poy Sang Long festival, the boys are ordained as novices in a ceremony held at the temple. The boys sit on thrones and are led to the temple, where they seek permission from the monks to be ordained. Once accepted, the boys exchange vows and change into simple monk robes, signifying their new status as novices. The moment of ordination is treated with great reverence and is a source of pride for Buddhist parents. After the ceremony, a feast is held for the newly ordained novices, as monks are not allowed to eat after midday. |
During the Poy Sang Long festival, the boys who are participating in the ceremony are accompanied by a procession that includes dancers and musicians. Throughout the three days of the festival, these attendants and musicians celebrate with the boys by drinking large amounts of rice wine and participating in various activities.
These activities may include carrying offerings such as robes, bowls, and other items for the monks, as well as participating in dances and music performances. At the end of the procession, people may also hold bamboo branches.
In some cases, the boys may also ride horses and ask for blessings from the noble spirits. Overall, dance and music are integral parts of the Poy Sang Long festival.
Conclusion
The Poy Sang Long festival is a significant cultural event for the Shan people of Myanmar and Thailand. It is a rite of passage for young boys, marking their transition into the monkhood and a new phase of their lives. The festival is a time for the community to come together and celebrate their traditions and culture, and it is an important moment of pride for Buddhist parents. The Poy Sang Long festival is a vibrant and meaningful celebration that is deeply rooted in the culture of the Shan people.
If you are in the area around March and April. Be sure to catch this event.
