Inheritance of Khan Kru: One Identity of Chiang Mai Chang-Sor

Abstract

This article aims to study the Chiang-Mai Chang-Sor identity in the aspect of Khun Khru (Offering bowl) inheritance purposely to to describe about the occasion, the significance, and the procedure of Khun Khru inheritance. The result shows that Khun Khru can be divided by its functional objective into 2 types: temporary Khun Khru, and permanent Khun Khru. Fieldwork data collection also reveals numerous occasions of Khun Khru inheritance ceremony of Chiang Mai Chang-Sor, namely 1) annual Khru Sor worship ceremony, 2) Khru Sor worship ceremony on the beginning of Buddhist Lent day, 3) Khru Sor worship ceremony at the end of  Buddhist Lent day, 4) Khru Sor worship ceremony on the end of Songkran day, 5) Khru Sor worship ceremony when firstly study sor (The ceremony held to show respect to teacher when starting to learn sor, a type of Thai musical instrument),  6) Khru Sor worship ceremony in teacher appointment ceremony or ceremony held after finishing the course, 7) Khru worship ceremony for votive offering, and 8) Khru worship on the stage. Khun Khru inheritance ceremony of Chiang Mai Chang-Sor is essential in many ways, namely 1) to show student’s respect to teacher, 2) to beg teacher to protect student, 3) to recall teacher’s kindness. The procedure in Khun Khru inheritance ceremony of Chiang Mai Chang-Sor is consisted of 3 main steps: beginning the ceremony, performing the ceremony, and ending the ceremony. Each step requires the different amount of accessories and oblations depending on the host’s financial status and the occasion.