The Mangala Wai Khru Ceremony

Abstract

The study of Mangkala Wai Khru Ceremony in Phitsanulok is an ethno-musicological research. The qualitative research method was used and the data was collected by formal and informal interview, as well as by participative observation. The objective of this study was 1) to study method of Mangkala Wai Khru Ceremony in Phitsanulok. The research results found that: Mangkala Wai Khru Ceremony in Phitsanulok is commonly done on Thursday of sixth month, every year. The place for the event is the teacher’s home or the band leader’s home. The ceremonial area begins with the setting of the altar of Lord Buddha and the other one includes the head-dresses of music gods, hermit and photo of the dead teachers. Several Mangkala music instruments such as Mangkala drums and Mangkala wind instrument are also set on the altar. The sacrifice includes food, drink and flowers such as the head of a pig, chicken, fruit, flowers, incense, candles, betel, cigarette and silver. In the morning, the monks were invited to pray for luck before the ceremony. After the ceremony done, teacher will started the first lesson to student and delivers programs for alumni to become a teacher. The song that used in ceremony consists of Mai-nueng, Mai-sam, Vien boat, Phaya Dern and Keng tok plug. It will play after the ceremonial verses. The Mangkala Wai Khru ceremony Method is similar to Wai Khru ceremony in Thai traditional music, which uses Thai traditional songs to perform in the rituals. It acts as a link between the teacher and the student.