The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"ROY-KATONG" FESTIVAL (THAILAND)

"THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS FESTIVAL IS TO APOLOGIZE TO THE WATER
SPIRIT FOR THE USE OF THE WATER AND FOR POLLUTING THE WATER.
BELIEVING THAT THE WATER COMES FROM HEAVEN, THE THAIS FLOAT SMALL
LOTUS-SHAPED RAFTS WITH CANDLES ON THEM IN THE RIVERS OF THAILAND
SO THAT EVENTUALLY THE RAFT WILL GO TO AN ANGEL IN HEAVEN. ALSO,
WHEN THEY FLOAT THE RAFTS, THE THAIS WILL MAKE A WISH AND
SOMETIMES A MAN AND WOMAN WILL GO TOGETHER."

Submitter comment: THE FESTIVAL USUALLY TAKES PLACE IN BETWEEN OCTOBER AND
NOVEMBER.
"ROY-KATONG" MEANS "FLOAT-SMALL-BOAT" IN THAI LANGUAGE.

Subject headings:

CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F100
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F110
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent.
BELIEF -- Angel
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Water
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 02-00-1984