MUSIC IN THE PRASAT NOK HASTILINGA CREMATION CEREMONY IN KOH KLANG TEMPLE, MUEANG DISTRICT, CHIANG MAI PROVINCE*

Abstract

This article aims at studying the use of music during the cremation process of the dead body carrier having an elephant-headed bird castle, namely Prasat Nok Hastilinga in Koh Klang Temple, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, then it is revealed that the ritual is performed by the Northern Thai Buddhists; forms of the body carriers vary from the dead’s social status as the structures are objects of dedication for paying respect to the dead. As for the ritual process, there are 1) to build the multi-tiered structure with an elephant-headed bird castle as the dead body carrier 2) to celebrate the carrier before coffining the body 3) the cremation as a part of the cremation ritual. Religious practices, traditional activities and folk performances are integrated into the ritual process for the purpose of merit-making dedication and unity between the monastery and the community, as well. There are two types of musical bands in the ritual - 1) the drum band having a local drum called Klong Jum playing the significant song named Prasat Wai and other funeral songs are used in the carrier-building ceremony 2) the gong band, so-called Phat Gong or Pat Gong is principally used in the rest of the ritual, especially the after-cremation process; it is composed of these songs: Prasat Wai, Phi Mot Long Khaung, Phi Mot Kin Nam Maphrao, Phya Sok, and so on. The use of music, herein, gives signals for each part of the ritual process as well as gains faith from participants. By the way, this music utilization has been developed to suit the Northern Thai ways of life in the present day by the up-to-date adaptation of songs, musicians, musical instruments, etc., for the survival of art.