Oct
11
A Little Girl, and Some Ceremonies
October 11, 2007 |
There was to be no getting up to go to the temple yesterday morning as previously announced. Nan wanted to sleep a little longer and excused herself by saying there would just be too many people. And she is not very religious my girl. So we slept in last morning.
We got out of bed at a more sensible 8am, had breakfast then cleaned the house, put some clothes trough the washing machine and then wen’t to her mothers house. Her brother and his wife is visiting from Chon Buri where he “works company”. The couple have a one and a half year old baby girl who has gone trough a lot in her young life.
The little one was born with a heart disorder, and nobody believed she would survive her first year. But she is a fighter this one. And 2 months ago she was finally strong enough to survive a heart operation in Bangkok that was successful.
So when we arrived at my mother-in-laws house yesterday, everyone’s attention was centered on the little girl, who did her best to play baby and charm everyone. We found Nan’s mom on all fours playing with toy cars when we arrived.
We then motored in the brothers car to Putthaisong and the girls wen’t to the market to purchase fruit and vegetables, while I wen’t and got us a 100 litre plastic container to store water in the hong nam for when we don’t have running water. I bought 2 of them, and the other will be used as a garbage bin outside. We don’t have a car, so when someone shows up with one, we have to take advantage.
When we came home, I stayed in the house a little bit, and filled up the water container. That was a lucky thing, as when we came back later in the afternoon to shower, there was no running water. This happens every now and then, and the water is only gone for a few hours.
The ladies spent the rest of the day cooking and making sweets. Me and Nan took a basket filled with fruit, sweets, soap and other bits and pieces and wen’t to Nan’s grandmothers house. She lives alone, but when we came she was not there.
But the door was not locked and inside there was an altar in the middle of the floor, where other relatives had left various fruits, cookies, batteries, candles, all sorts of small gifts that the old one may need. Nan said a short prayer and then we placed our stuff with the rest and left.
Late in the afternoon everything was finally ready. And we all gathered at Nan’s uncles house. Seated on the floor, the centerpiece of the altar, a golden bowl filled with some kind of leaves, incense and candles where passed around, while whoever held it said a short prayer or blessing. Then it was the pouring of diverse liquids into a bowl. Everything from Lao Kao, beer, water, soda and even some M-150. While you pour you again say a short prayer or blessing, and it’s likely that some of the ladies will hold on to your arm to share in the merritt.
While all of this is going on, there is a lot of chanting and also laughter, jokes and smiles. It seems very informal and even fun. So I like these family ceremonies.
After that was finished they lit up a string of firecrackers hanging from a tree in the yard to scare of bad spirits and ghosts.
When the ceremony in the uncles house was over, we moved over to my mother-in-laws house where the process was repeated. This time I got the honor of setting off the fireworks.
By now it was dark, so we proceeded with firing off a truckload of rockets, firecrackers and all sorts of stuff that goes bang.
Then it was to stuff yourself with food and drink, and go home to sleep. Yup it was another nice day in Isaan.
That’s it!
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Comments
3 Comments so far
Rune,
Great reading about your escapades in Isaan. I had an off topic question, what card are you using for internet access? Everytime I go to Burilam, I can only get access through my Blackberry (which is way too expensive at U.S. rates).
I would appreciate any advice on the type of card to buy for internet access.
Aloha,
Mike
Hi Mike, I use an 1-2 Call sim card from AIS. Setting it up for internet was a breeze with my Sony Ericsson mobile phone.
If you go to one of their offices I am sure they can help you set it up your phone for you.
Rune,
Thanks for the info…will stop by their office when I’m in BKK next month.
I envy you, and some day hope to live full-time in Burilam.
Mike