SONGKRAN AT MAHASARAKHAM UNIVERSITY

Songkran ceremonies and celebrations are held early at MSU as many students travel to their respective homes for the official holiday to the nineteen Isan Provinces from which MSU draws its students.

 MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito led a full day of Songkran ceremonies and festivities which were celebrated on April 8. Commencing at 7 am Dr.Supachai, MSU Executives and many others visited the City Pillar and then the Buddha at the MSU Northeastern Arts and Culture centre for a bathing ceremony.

At noon there was a merit making ceremony held in the grounds of the President’s Building. which preceded a grand parade followed by a full afternoon of entertainment, festivities and competitions. There was a beauty competition, popularity competition, dancing competition and a talent quest.

It is times such as these the full kindness, joy of life and welcoming attitude of Isan people is exemplified.

For any foreigner these goings on seem all very delightful and surprising while at the same time very strange so it is natural to feel a little out of place. Isan people soon make you feel comfortable and at ease as you are gently invited to participate in all ceremonies and festivities.

You do not feel excluded in the religious merit making ceremonies. You are invited to participate and are not ridiculed if you make a faux pas. You can join in with the parade and you can join in the dancing no matter how awkward your style. Isan people, both male and female, sing and dance from the time they are born and the exuberance and pure joy of the celebration combined with the loud and lively traditional and modern Isan music make it almost impossible for one not to join in and share the wonderful feelings.

The breathtaking beauty and colour of the traditional costumes, the adrenalin of the non-stop loud music, the elegance of movement accompanied by ubiquitous smiles make the Songkran festivities an unforgettable experience. A celebration of this kind should be on everybody’s ‘Things to Experience In My Lifetime’ list. ...more pics

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS KEEP TRADITIONS ALIVE

On April 7 MSU Division of Student Affairs organised a bathing ceremony in recognition of the importance of the tradition of Songkran. More than fifty people including the Executive Committee of the Division of Student Affairs were involved in the planning of the event. Over five hundred people attended the early morning alms merit making ceremony and over four thousand watched the street parade and competitions in the afternoon.

As well as the street parade there were traditional bathing ceremonies, a beauty contest and a sand pagoda modelling contest.

MSU Division of Student Affairs is a student organisation which recognises the importance of keeping alive the traditional Songkran beauty and culture in the northeast.

This event was also organised to bring together members of the local communities to join in celebrations. The importance of keeping tradition and showing respect to traditional wisdom was marked by inviting special guests from local communities to address the younger student members of the local communities as well as MSU students before they return to their homes for the New Year holidays. 

Songkran is traditionally Thailand’s New Year. The water ceremonies are performed at this time every year to bring the rains which are so vital for the sowing season of the rice crop.

One objective of the student organisation is to increase the body of knowledge and to keep alive the sense of pride in traditional wisdom, local art and culture. Another is to build good relationships between students and nearby communities. MSU Division of Student Affairs is involved in many projects year round. In many instances MSU students give up their free time during short holiday or weekend periods with groups going out into local communities making building improvements to schools, holding community knowledge and networking camps or simply helping out.

Even though MSU is reaching out globally to increase its presence internationally MSU Division of Student Affairs and many other MSU faculties also recognise the benefits of forging strong bonds locally between communities and educational institutions. ...more pics