Custom & Tradition in Isan

Custom
Isan language
Isan is the principal language of the Isan region of Thailand. A tonal language of the Tai language family, it is the main language of trade and communication in the Isan region, except for in cities and in media where it gives way to Thai. The main language of the region is Isan, which is similar to Laotian. Thai is also spoken, with regional accents, by almost everyone. Khmer (the language of Cambodia) is widely spoken in regions near the Cambodian border (Buriram, Surin, and Sisaket).
These are some example Isan language:
Khoy ข้อย I/me
hao/haw เฮา we/us
baw บ่ not
nyang หยัง what
pai ใผ who
dai ใด which
het เฮ็ด do
sai ไส where?
waw เว้า speak
beung เบิ่ง watch
ee-lee อีหลี really
wai wai ไวๆ fast
mark-mai หมากไม่ fruit
laew baw แล้วบ่ Yet?, Already?
sa-bai-di-bo สบายดีบ่ Are you well?

Festival/ Tradition in Isan

Nakhon Ratchasima
Thao Suranari Memorial Fair Thao Suranari memorial is an annual provincial event, held on during 23 March-3 Aprilthe period Khunying Mo was victorious over her enemy. The fair features arts and culture, shops and exhibitions of public and private offices.

Phimai Festival
Phimai Festival is organised to promote tourism activities in the provinces main tourist destination of Phimai Historical Park that is held in conjunction with Phimai Boat Races. Activities include long boat racing, cultural performances, religious processions, and a light-and-sound show.


Khon Kaen
Dok Khun Sisng Khaen Songkran Festival Date : April 8 - 15 Venue : At Bueng Kaen Nakhon and Khao Neow Road, Khon Kaen

Silk and Phuk Sieo Festival
Date : 29 November-10 December
Venue : at the front area of Khon Kaen town hall.
The main events are the display of the local silk and its contest and I-san making friend tradition called Phuk Sieo. Pha Laeng, a wonderful I-san dinner is also available.

Karasin
Wichit Phrae Wa Silk Festival
Date : August 12
Venue : at Rim Pao Hotel to honour H.M.
Queen Sirikit who has kindly supported the Phrae Wa silk under her royal patronage and promoted it to wider public awareness. The Queen’s support also helps to create employment for local Phu Thai people. The event features a Phrae Wa silk contest, fashion show of Phrae Wa silk dresses, cultural parade, demonstration of silk weaving, and sales of Phrae Wa silk.

Pong Lang, Phrae Wa and Red Cross Fair
This festival is held in late February in front of the Provincial Hall. The fair features processions of the various districts decorated as Pong Lang, a northeastern musical instrument, and participants dressed in traditional costumes. In addition, there are a variety of local cultural performances and there are shops selling a wide range of goods.

Maha Sarakham
Bun Boek Fa and Red Cross Fair
Held at the start of the harvesting season in February. The event is held at the provincial hall to revive and preserve Isan's cultural heritage. It features the Bun Boek Fa procession, which is a story about Mae Posop (The goddess of rice), beautiful decorated Bai Si Su Khwan pedestals, folk plays, local music, and many rituals.

Phra That Na Dun Festival
The Celebration is held annually on the full moon of February in Maka Bucha Day at Buddhist Park of Isan. The week long celebration will features Buddhism-related activities such as giving alms to the monks, vipassana practice, dhamma lecture, and the glory performance “Champasi-Natakan”.

Roi-Et
Bun Khao Chi and Pho Chai Products Festival or Bun Duean Sam
It is held according to Hit Sip Song - the Northeastern twelve festivals for the twelve months. The Northeasterners believe that by making merit with Khao Chi or grilled sticky rice, they would gain huge merit. The festival also features a beauty pageant and competition of a giant-sized Khao Chi.

Loei
Phi Ta Khon Festival
Date :June 26-28
Venue : Dan Sai District, Loei District and Province

Yasothon
Yasothon Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival
Date : May 8 - 10 Venue : Phaya Thaen Park, Mueang District, Yasothon

Nakhon Phanom
The Illuminated Boat Procession
Date : 29 September – 15 Octorber
Venue : Mekong River, Mueang District, Nakhon Phanom

Surin
Surin Elephant Roundup & Red Cross Fair
Date : November 18 - 27
Venue : Surin Province

Ubon Ratchathani
International Wax Sculpture
Date : July 1 - 31
Venue : Thung Si Mueang District, Ubon Ratchathani

Sakon Nakhon
Sakon Nakhon Wax Castle Festival
Date : 1 - 4 October
Venue : Sanam Ming Mueang, Suan Somdej Phra Srinagarindra, Sakon Nakhon

Tourist Attraction

Phrathat Nadun




This pagoda was constructed to house Lord Buddha's relics found in a small pagoda discovered in the area which is located two kilometers northeast of the present location. The phra that features a pagoda with a square three-tiered base. The first tier is for ceremonial, clockwise walking while top spaces of the second tier and third tier bases are decorated with replicas of phra that at all of the four corners. From the top space of the third tier base onwards stands a big bell shape pagoda body which is topped with a lotus, a couple of plong chanai and pli yot (finial) respectively. The pagoda is 35,7 meters wide and 50,5 meters high which is presumed that its age should be from 8th - 10th centuries AD of the Dvaravati-Period. In addition, there are replicas of the Buddha image decorated around the second tier base too. Another phra that is located at Ban Nadun in the vicinity of amphoe Nadun where evidenes of history and archaeology revealing the glory of the past are found from excavations. This area used to be the site of Chamsa Si City State and archaeological objects excavated are displayed at Khon Kaen National Museum¸among the most important items found is a stupa housing Lord Buddha's relics with inside gold, silver, and bronze containers. It is presumed that the objects were made during Dvaravati-Period. In general the whole area is a significant place of Buddhism. It is accessible from Maha Sarakham township via Highway 2040 passing amphoe Kae Dam and
amphoe Wapipathum; make a right turn to join Highway 2045 to amphoe Nadun, some 65 kms from the province township.


Prasat Pueai Noi

Prasat Pueai Noi is the largest khmer sanctuary in upper northeast, founded around 16th, 17th BE. It was mixed design between “Papuan” and “Nakhonwat” styles. It was used as a Hindu temple which is supposed to the core of the universe. The compound comprises 3 brick buildings built on the same laterite base. All face to the east. Each pagoda has a sandstone lintel with design. Each pagoda has smaller chapel and a lintel with clear, lovely design. A laterite wall surrounds the compound and there is a pool just beyond it. From Khon Kaen.

BURIRUM'S THAI SILK

HISTORY OF SILK

Silk is produced, year round, in Thailand by two types of silkworms, the cultured Bombycidae and wild Saturniidae. Most production is after the rice harvest in the southern and northeast parts of the country. Women traditionally weave silk on hand looms, and pass the skill on to their daughters as weaving is considered to be a sign of maturity and eligibility for marriage. Thai silk textiles often use complicated patterns in various colors and styles. Most regions of Thailand have their own typical silks. A single thread filament is too thin to use on its own so women combine many threads to produce a thicker, usable fiber. They do this by hand-reeling the threads onto a wooden spindle to produce a uniform strand of raw silk. The process takes around 40 hours to produce a half kilogram of Thai silk.

THAI SILK WEAVING

Silk manufacture is an ancient craft but until recently it was never a major item of trade for production was too limited in older times. This was always the labour of village women who spun, dyed and wove the fabrics only when their work in field and home allowed time. Nor was silk for everyday wear being reserved for such festive occasions as marriages and other important ceremonies.Nowadays there are factories making Thai silk on a larger scale, but the finest qualities are still produced on hand looms in villages where old skill are lovingly passed from one generation to the next. Most regions of Thailand have their own typical silks which are especially prized. Of all these the "Mud - Mee" tie - dyed design and "Phumriang" brocades are considered outstanding. Phumriang is a village in Surat Thani province where an old lady named Mrs. Riam Wanmukda was renowned for exquisite weaving. Originally only plant dyes were used, distilled from roots, bark and leaves, but today chemical dyes are preferred for their brighter colours. Modern designs have also joined the traditional pattern. Particular to Phumriang is the use of gold threads in the complex designs. The result is a rich brocade that is more than a handicraft, it is truly a treasure.Besides plain and printed silks, a number of special weaves have become celebrated. One of these is called "mudmee", a specialty of the northeast. Mudmee is produced by a tie - dye process: the silk thread is wound around two poles whose length equals the width of the cloth, after which it is tied (mud) at various places according to the design. The thread is then dyed and spun on a shuttle. Other kind of Northeastern textiles include tin chok and Phrae Wacloth.

BURIRUM'S THAI SILK

Burirum province is very famous on weaving, or called “Tam Hook” in hose area, from ancient to present. In the ear of King Rama V, there were specialized schools of weaving by using modern weaving machine and teacher from Japan. Traditional designed silk, especially “Madmi” silk of Burirum, is very popular both Thai and foreigner. Those fabrics are woven with all silk with temptation of art, neat, beautiful texture and good quality. Most texture comes from natural such as tree, flower, animal, tool and other symbols, Nowadays; it was developed style and quality to match with market demand. Burirum silk is frequently awarded from many silk contests through kingdom. It is very proud of the Burirum silk owner. There is a motto to reflex the legend of Burirum silk.

"Burirum City of Stone Castle Land of Volcano Beautiful Silk Prosperity Culture”

ISAN FOOD

Everybody knows the famous food of Thailand, which is a mix of spicy and sour tastes. Thailand is divided into four main area : North, Northeast, Central, South. Each area has its own culinary specialities.
The taste of the Northeastern (Isan) food is stronger, more salty, sour and hot than elsewhere in the country and some dishes receive the influence of Laos. One unique characteristic of Isan food is that pla ra (fermented fish) constitutes a main dish in almost every meal. It is plainly eaten with glutinous rice or added to other dishes.Basically, eating Thai food is a communal affair joined by two or more people sharing different dishes. So the greater the number of diners, the greater the number of dishes shared. These dishes are eaten together allowing the diners to enjoy the harmonious tastes of the whole meal. A typical Thai meal should consist of a soup, a fried dish, a hot salad (yam), a curry dish or a dip with fried fish and fresh vegetables. Besides, Thai food is normally served with a variety of condiments and sauces, e.g. fish sauce with chilies and vinegar with chilies. If you are trying hot Thai food for the first time, you should take plenty of You should also avoid eating chilies, especially the small red or green ones called phrik khi nu, which is a main ingredient in curries, hot salad and spicy fried dishes. Thai food is eaten with a fork and spoon and no knife as all ingredients are cut in slices or small chunks.

One of the most popular dishes in Thailand,is Som Tam, otherwise known as Papaya Salad. It is also an original northeastern food and is normally eaten with glutinous rice and grilled chicken. The meal is quite simple to make.

Papaya Salad [Som-Tum-Thai] (ส้มตำไทย)

Ingredients
1. Green papaya chopped, sliced 1 cup

2. Fresh bird chili 3-8 pieces

3. Plump tomato cut into half 2 pieces

4. Green Beans cut into 1' length 1 pieces

5. Garlic (small cloves) 1 teaspoon

6. Dried shrimp 1 tablespoon

7. Peanut roasted, peeled 1 tablespoons

8. Fish sauce 1 tablespoon

9. Lemon juice 2 tablespoons

10. Plam sugar 3 teaspoons

Cooking Instruction

1. Crush slightly chilies and garlic.

2. Add green beans, plump tomato, and peanut and crush them until well mixed.
3. Taste by plam sugar, lemon juice, fish sauce.

4. Add papaya, dried shrimp and crush them until well mixed. Remove to the plate for serve. Sprinkle with peanut.

5. Serve along with fresh vegetables such as cabbage, Beans Chinese water spinach


Spicy Papaya Salad[Som-Tum-Lao] ส้มตำลาว

Ingredients
2 cups coarsely graded unripe Papaya

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1-4 small red or green chilis(in Isaan we often use 10 or more!)

2 garlic cloves

1 long squirt of fish sauce

1 lemon/lime (minao in Thai)

1/4 cup yardlong beans (green beans) if you wishDash of salt, sugar to preference (1 tsp)

Cooking Instruction

1. Combine chili peppers, garlic, tomatoes, salt,sugar, with mortar and pestle.

2. Squirt in some fish oil and squeeze the lemonjuice into the mix. Add the papaya in small groupsto make sure it mixes well.


Green Papaya Salad with crab[Som-Tum-Poo] ส้มตำปู

Ingredients
5 peppers

3 garlic

1 tomato (sliced)

1 eggplant (sliced)

1 fermented crab

1 handfull chopped papaya

1 tbsp. fish sauce

3 tbsp. fermented fish juice (Blarah)2 pieces lemon1 tsp. sugar or palm sugar

Cooking Instruction

1. Pound peppers and garlic together. Add tomato, eggplant, and fermented crab. Then, mix it with fish sauce, Blarah, lemon, and sugar.

2. Use a pestle to press and mix all the ingredients together.

3. Put papaya in and mix it by pestle. Now it's ready to be served.

4. Lay fresh vegetable, cucumber, cabbage, string bean or morning glory for example, on a side.TipUsing a pestle to pound and mix the ingredients with papaya makes the sauce get in the papaya better than stirring. It will also make your Somtam juicy.

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