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Connecting Past Generations to Present Generations
Story: Wandee Suntivutimetee
Photos: Sakol Kasemphant, Vichai Saeheng |
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The legend begins with a King, who had a daughter who loved (Thai) classical dance, something considered out of the ordinary for that time and age. One day, the virgin princess miraculously became pregnant (some fables explain that she became pregnant after ingesting lotus flowers that had belonged to the angels). Out of shame, the King banished his daughter from the Kingdom. The Princess then came to live on a faraway island, where she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. The angels took pity on mother and child, and decided to teach the child the classical dance that his mother loved so much. News of the boy's dancing talents soon reached the palace, and the King, impressed by his grandson's abilities, called both his daughter and grandson back to his Kingdom. The dance that originates from this legend, a dance taught to humans by the angels, has since been used to conduct the Nohra Rong Kru ceremonies. |
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The descendants of the Nohra tradition maintain the belief that their ancestors were part of the Nohra legend and at one time lived on earth. It is also believed that to this day, the ancestors do still look over the health, happiness, and overall wellbeing of their descendants. In giving thanks to their ancestors, as well as in attempting to give their ancestors an opportunity to reach them in this world, the Nohra Rong Kru ceremonies are conducted, and a Nohra dancing troupe is invited to perform during the ceremonies. Possessions are carried out throughout the ceremonies in order to provide the ancestors with a conduit with which to communicate through. It is imperative that absolutely everyone in the family attend, because it is believed that the family member who doesn't attend and was asked for by the ancestor will be severely punished with bad luck... The Nohra Rong Kru ceremonies blessed by the heavenly dance has certainly brought families together, if not out of respect for their ancestors, then out of fear of punishment! |
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