Introduction
KhanMaak (Thai: ขันหมาก) is a tray decorated with banana leaf and flower which is used in Thai wedding ceremony. Kanmaak ceremony will be held after making merit and engagement ceremony. Kanmaak is a necessary thing in the wedding ceremony which groom has to bring KhanMaak to bride’s parent to show respect.
(thaiwedding, n.d.)
History
Since Sukhothai period, KanMaak ceremony or KanMaak parade is Thai traditional culture for the wedding. The ceremony is for showing honor to the bride. Furthermore, bride’s parent gives such a warm welcome to the groom to her family. KhanMak Things to put in the Khan Mak tray may vary by culture in different regions. These items represent important aspects of the marriage, such as health, prosperity, fertility, and longevity. Generally, items in the Kan Maak tray are; 1. The young betel nuts (หมาก màak) 4 or 8 pieces. 2. Betel leaves (ใบพลู bai pluu) 3. Silver bag (ถุงเงิน tŭng ngern) which contains money, usually coins. 4. Golden bag (ถุงทอง tŭng torng) which contains mung beans, popped rice, sesame seeds. 5. Meaningful flowers which commonly be Calotropis which it means to have a happy marriage.
Procession
Having reached an agreement for the Sin Sod (dowry), the groom can now go to claim his bride. In past times the groom would travel on foot from his home to his bride’s home, accompanied by a procession of his family, friends, and other well-wishers. The groom’s paraders would carry offerings for the bride’s family. On their way, they would sing songs, play instruments, such as traditional Thai long drums, and basically have a traveling party. The offerings they carry all have very specific meanings. For Thais, it is quite common nowadays for the engagement to take place on the same day as the wedding. In many Thai-foreigner relationships the engagement often follows the western tradition of being a romantic one-on-one occasion that is then announced to others afterwards. We had an informal engagement, not a traditional one. Additionally, the traveling guests will also carry various foods such as fruits and desserts. In modern times, the procession is likely to just start down the street and end at the wedding venue, which will be a house or, more frequently in modern times, a hotel (culture, 2016).
(weddinglist, n.d.)
Ceremony’s Detail
There are 3 doors that groom has to pass before he meets the bride. Nak door - the first gate which TolKae will ask “What is this door”. The one who holds the door will answer “Nak door”. In order to pass this door, TolKae will give some souvenir to them which cheapest price than the other door. Silver door - This door is located around stair. TolKae will ask the same and give souvenir or money to pass the door. Golden door - This door uses a good quality of Pear fabric. In order to pass the door, TolKae has to give the highest price to the one who held the door. Nowadays the door was adapted by using flower instead of pear fabric. There might be more than 3 doors for fun in the ceremony.
(Kaijeaww, n.d.) Dessert
The Thai desserts to be eaten as part of the feast consists of nine different items. The number 9 is important in Thai society and it is used on occasions such as this is regarded as very lucky. These desserts are: 1. ThongYip 2. ThongYod 3. Foi Thong 4. Ja MongKut 5. KanumChan 6. KanumToifu 7. ThongEak 8. Madkanun 9. SaneJung
References
(n.d.). Retrieved from weddinglist: http://www.weddinglist.co.th/blog/ (2017, August 14). Retrieved from onewiwa: https://onewiwa.com/2017/08/14/ culture. (2016, February 22). Retrieved from thethailandlife: https://www.thethailandlife.com/thai-wedding-ceremony Kaijeaww. (n.d.). knowledge. Retrieved from rakmaekhun: http://rakmaekhun.blogspot.com/2015/11/blog-post_11.html thaiwedding. (n.d.). Retrieved from ruenjoawsao: http://www.ruenjoawsao.com/thaiwedding.htm wedding. (n.d.). Retrieved from tumflowers: http://tumflowers.page.tl