SIAMESE CULTURE
HISTORY / ORIGIN:
The region Siam, presently known as Thailand is one of the oldest populated region in Asian Civilization. Researchers hold variety of opinions regarding the origin of Thais. According to a view, Thais had their origin in northwestern Szechuan in China and later migrated to the Southern part of China which is Thailand. Some historians also believe that from the evidence of bronze metallurgy, the Thais might have originated here in Thailand and later scattered to various parts of Asia, including China.
Historians also claim that Thais while traveling towards Southern China entered the Hunan province of China. While they travelled, they fought the imperial Chinese army for over 50 years before the Chinese court allowed them to stay if they were willing to show honor to the Chinese Dynasty.
The present day state of Thailand was known until 1939 as Siam. The term Thai or Siamese therefore is not ethnic but political. Secondarily linguistic, meaning a speaker of Thai language and thirdly cultural, meaning a product of the culture to which a variety of ethnic groups have lived in the region combined.
LANGUAGE:
The national language of Siam or Thailand is Thai. Richly diverse in origin, the Thai language used today is the result of centuries of maturation and change. In the ancient times of Thai History more famously known as Dvaravati period, the Thai people gradually developed their own Chinese-influenced language by using certain Khmer and Mon words. Some period later, Thais also started using Sanskrit and Pali words. With the passage of time, the language faced minor changes and today standard Thai is spoken nationwide, with a variety of regional dialects with respect to the region.
According to some Historians, King Ramakamhaeng created the first Thai alphabet in 1283, basing it on Mon and Khmer scripts which, in turn, were derived from a South Indian script. Even today, King Ramakamhaeng’s alphabets survive intact and can be read as easily by a modern Thai as his ancestors. Significantly, King’s effort towards the development of Thai language, led to a sense of unity and love towards distinctive Thai cultural identity among the Thais.
Although, the Thai language uses one of the simplest grammars of all languages, many writers claim that there is no grammar at all in Thai language. Some historians claim that Thai historical and cultural development greatly suffered at the hands of Thai grammarians who introduced unusual restrictions based on English, Sanskrit and other languages.
FESTIVALS:
Thailand is known for its unique and distinctive culture. The Songkran Festival is celebrated at the time of traditional Thai New Year and is an occasion of merrymaking all over the country. At this occasion many religious ceremonies and public festivals are also celebrated. During this festival, people may get a plastic bag filled with water thrown at them during warm weather. During this occasion, The Miss Songkran beauty contest is also held.
In Thailand, the Vegetarian Festival is also celebrated. Many years ago, Chinese came in Thailand to work. All the workers fell ill and therefore it was believed that it was because their failure to pay due respect to the nine Emperor Gods of Taoism. They adopted strict vegetarian diet to please their Gods. Due to this the Chinese community in Thailand restrict themselves to vegetarian diet for 9 days. During this festival, several acts are performed including cultural performances, walking on hot coal, climbing knife blades ladders and self-piercing of the skin.
Thai people also celebrate The King’s Birthday. They love their royal family and on the King’s birthday, the city of Bangkok is specially decorated. This event is celebrated by zeal by the local people and is observed as a National Holiday.
During the month of November when the full moon occurs, the rivers of Thailand are covered by locus shaped banana leaf boats called Krathongs. A lit candle, a coin and a flower is placed inside it and set free in the water to offer honor to water spirits and to cleanse ones past sins.
ARTS AND MUSIC:
Thai Art originating in mainly as a religious form is often associated with Buddha. A distinctive form of Thai art form is the relief, carved from wood to produce impressive three-dimensional detail. The Thais are particularly gifted at this and wood carvings, large and small are often seen in large numbers at Baan Tawai, a local craft village. This village is known for its wooden carvings, furniture, filigree work and other art.
Thai dance is one of the major components of Thai cultural heritage. In the Thai dance, beautifully costumed ladies and men patiently mimics ancient stories, as they were performed in the Royal Court for entertainment. The dance is performed by beautiful execution of hand and fingers movement. Other additions such as performing dance with specially designed, finger nails also add to the splendor and uniqueness of the Thai Cultural dance. The Thai dance is even much popular among the modern audiences for its beauty and simplicity.
Along with the Thai Classical dance, there is also a traditional orchestra which uses musical instruments such as ranad (a wooden xylophone), sa-law (a bow-shaped instrument played with a violin-like bow) and two bamboo flutes. It is a captivating and idyllic experience, patiently played with some repeated measures.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE:
In Thailand religion plays an important role in daily life. It is considered as a vital pillar in society. The national religion of Thailand is Theravada Buddhism. Although Buddhism is followed by about 95% of the total population but the government and people of Thailand happily support all the minority religion present in Thailand. There is absolute freedom for people following Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and other faiths.
The Buddhists in Thailand worship in monastery temples. Most of the men practice some time as monks with their head shaved and wearing bright orange robes. At the start of dawn, the faithful people visit them, give them food and receive blessings. However, women are not allowed to touch monks while giving food and are expected to leave anything they wish to offer to monks, who will pick it up later. An important reason for the strength of Buddhism is the fact that from almost every Buddhist family, at least one male member studies the Buddha’s teachings in a monastery.
Besides supporting monastic communities, Thai temples also traditionally serve other purposes such as employment, school, hospitals, dispensary, community centre and village hostelry. The unusually high literacy rate in Thailand before the universal educational system was introduced was due to the system of Temple education.
| Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not claim expertise on Siamese Culture.Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the URL of this page.If you are somehow related to Siamese culture, your feedback is much appreciated. |
References:
USMTA
1999 Siamese & Thai History & Culture. Electronic Document, http://www.usmta.com/Thai-History-Frame.htm, accessed July 27, 2009.
Assumption University of Thailand
1999 Thai History – The origin of Thais. Electronic Document, http://sunsite.au.ac.th/thailand/thai_his/origin.html, access July 27, 2009.
Thai Language
2009 History of the Thai. Electronic Document, http://www.thailanguage.org/thai/history.asp, accessed July 27, 2009.
Asian Info
2000 Perfoming Arts in Thailand (Music). Electronic Document, http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/thailand/pro-performing_arts.htm, accessed July 27, 2009.
One Stop Chiang Mai
2004 Thai Art, Architecture, Music and Dance. Electronic Document, http://www.1stopchiangmai.com/culture/art/, accessed July 27, 2009.
Images:
http://www.seagarden-resort.com/pic/general/map_thailand.jpg
http://www.1stopchiangmai.com/images/culture/art.jpg
http://www.1stopchiangmai.com/images/culture/thai_music.jpg
http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/thailand/bangkoksmall/IMG_0299.JPG
http://www.bergoiata.org/fe/Bouddha/Monks%20Praying,%20Thailand.jpg
http://impressive.net/people/gerald/2007/04/15/16-15-47-sm.jpg
Written By
Salman Hakim, 2009.
The region Siam, presently known as Thailand is one of the oldest populated region in Asian Civilization. Researchers hold variety of opinions regarding the origin of Thais. According to a view, Thais had their origin in northwestern Szechuan in China and later migrated to the Southern part of China which is Thailand. Some historians also believe that from the evidence of bronze metallurgy, the Thais might have originated here in Thailand and later scattered to various parts of Asia, including China. 
