?Intakhin? is a Lanna word meaning the city pillar or threshold. According to the legend about Chiang Mai city in the palm leaf text revised by the Social Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, the city pillar is referred to as the ?sadue mueang? by the local people in the olden times. At present, the city pillar is located at Wat Chedi Luang, Mueang District, Chiang Mai. It is one of the temples under the royal patronage. It is located at the heart of the city with a chedi that is considered the largest in Chiang Mai where the Emerald Buddha image used to be housed for 80 years from B.E. 2011-2091.
Khunnam refers to the water source or the major rivers that serve as the veins of their lives. In Lanna religion these water sources are such places as Khun Ping or the source of the Ping River which originates at Doi Thuai in Chiang Dao District. Khun Wang refers to the water source of the Wang River which originates at Doi Khun Tan in Lampang Province. Khun Thi is the water source of the Thi River in Lamphun. Lanna people believe that there are water spirits or guardian spirits residing at each of these high mountains that are the sources of the water that feeds each of the major rivers in the area. They refer to these guardian spirits as ?phi khun nam?. The area is considered a sacred area where tree cutting or felling is prohibited. Thus, it remains a healthy area full of big trees and rich in natural resources.
The Lanna people feel a deep gratitude toward the buffalos. Sometimes buffalos are considered a special kind of animal worthy of praise. Thus, when the plowing and sowing time has finished, the people start a ceremony called ?Su Khuan Khuai? or ?Mat Mue Khuai? or ?Hong Khuan Khuai?. The three terms are used interchangeably depending on the location or region. Because of their usefulness, buffalos are specially treated. While working, buffalos might be badly treated by beating because of their slow walk, going in the wrong direction or refusing to pull the plow either due to stubbornness or fatigue.
Than Salak or Thambun Salakhaphat is a Lanna tradition of merit making to monks by means of drawing a lottery to prevent people from picking out their favorite monks to give offerings to. The terms used to refer to this ceremony in the Lanna dialects vary depending on the region, for example, kin kuai salak or kin salak or tan kuai salak.
Actually, this has been an ancient Buddhist custom since the Lord Buddha?s time. When he was residing at Chetawan Mahawihan, a female demon initiated an alms offering to the monks by drawing a lot or lottery so that none could pick and choose which items one favored or go by the value of the item.
Sometimes referred to as the ?Hong Khuan? ceremony, this Su Khao Ao Khuan is also known as Bai Si Su Khuan or Hiak Khuan or Pha Khuan. It is another ancient Lanna ritual meant for the people?s happiness and prosperity. It is supposed to produce encouragement and good morale.
The basic component of this ceremony is ?Bai Si? which is made out of banana leaves and sewn together in a delicate pattern. Because of the materials used and the specific way of creating this banana leaf container, it has been called many other names like ?si-chaeng nom-maeo, khan bai-si? and ?khan pok-mue?. The container is placed on a bowl or footed tray, the base of it is surrounded by pleated banana leaves, the middle part is mainly an inverted cone shaped banana container with a pointed tip.
?Poy Luang? is a Lanna expression meaning grand merit celebration. It comes from ?Poy? meaning gathering of lots of folks. The word is derived from a Burmese word that was mixed into the Lanna language during the time of Burmese rule in the region. ?Luang? is a Lanna word meaning great or grand. The two words combined to refer to the gathering of a multitude of people, usually to celebrate the dedication of a religious structure. This celebration reveals the potential and strong spirit of the community.
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