Thai Traditional Music in the Wai Khru Ceremony

Abstract

The ancient Wai Khru ceremony has significance both for Thai musicians and their culture. Four categories of Teachers or Khru are honored: Hindu gods, unseen spirits, hermits, and human teachers both alive and deceased. The procedure is divided into 3 steps: worship of the Three Jewels, worship of the Khru, and anointing of the student. The master of the ceremony holds the student’s hands to perform Na-phaat repertoire on Khong-wong-yai or ta-phoon.

A Pi-phaat ensemble plays throughout the ceremony performing both pre-existing and new compositions. Three process in Wai Khru were the first process: Buddhist ceremony, the second process: The Wai Khru and the third process: Offer the sacrifices and offerings. After this step is completed, the Pi-phaat ensemble performs Cherd-klong repertory and Kroa-ram repertory. The Wai Khru ceremony represents important Thai social values including religious beliefs, Thai morals, and socio-cultural practices that influenced Thai music and musicians.