Tan Khao Mai Tradition is deeply rooted in religious beliefs and the agricultural society of the Northern Thai people. It is a ritual performed to honor the ancestors and sacred beings that are believed to have assisted in the farming process, especially in rice cultivation. The event is celebrated after the rice harvest, where villagers give thanks for the blessings received throughout the agricultural season. The ritual typically involves offerings to various spirits, including the "Pee Poo Pee Ya" (ancestors), the "Pee Faa Pee Naam" (sky and water spirits), and the "Pee Kam Din Dam" (earth spirits), who are thought to support the growth of rice and provide sustenance to the people.

 

The tradition has evolved with the introduction of Buddhism. As the Northern Thai people adopted Buddhism as their primary religion, the ritual shifted towards offering rice and food to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha (monastic community). However, the practice of honoring the spirits and ancestors remained, incorporating both Buddhist and indigenous beliefs. Villagers offer rice, fruits, sweets, and other foods to show respect to their ancestors and to dedicate merit to the deceased (Rungnapa Sa-nguan-sak-sri, 2020).

 

Tan Khao Mai is a way for people to show gratitude to their ancestors and the sacred beings who have made agriculture possible. The offerings include three main parts:

- Offering to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha: The first part of the rice is offered to monks to dedicate merit to the ancestors and to express gratitude for their role in maintaining the rice fields.

 

- Offering to the Elders or Landowners: The second part is given to the elderly or landowners who contributed to the land and made it available for cultivation. This part of the ritual acknowledges their importance in the agricultural process.

 

- Rice Saved for Future Consumption: The third part of the rice is kept for personal consumption, symbolizing the ongoing sustenance it will provide to the family in the future.

 

Timing and Ritual Steps The Tan Khao Mai ceremony is traditionally held in the Northern Thai region during the month of "Song Pi" (the fourth lunar month), which typically falls between late December and January. In 2024, it will take place on January 27, coinciding with the Tan Lua Hing Fai Phra Chao (a related tradition that marks the sound of fireworks signaling the start of the ceremony).

 

During the ceremony, villagers steam harvested rice and prepare offerings such as sweet and savory foods, fruits, cigarettes, betel nuts, and other symbolic items. These are offered to monks in the temple. After the offerings are made, the ceremony concludes with the receiving of blessings, taking the precepts, and the pouring of holy water to transfer merit (Rungnapa Sa-nguan-sak-sri, 2020; Chiang Mai Provincial Cultural Office, 2022).

 

Despite modern changes in agriculture and society, the tradition of Tan Khao Mai has been maintained, although with some adjustments. With fewer people practicing rice cultivation directly and relying on purchasing rice from stores, some people now substitute the harvested rice with purchased rice for the ceremony. The timing of the ceremony is still generally held around the Song Pi month, although some communities may adjust the date for convenience.

 

Although some elements of the related Tan Lua Hing Fai Phra Chao may be fading, Tan Khao Mai continues to be celebrated as a way of honoring the sacred forces of nature and dedicating merit to ancestors. This tradition remains an important part of community life, serving as a means of expressing gratitude for the land, rice, and the spiritual forces that have sustained generations of Northern Thai farmers.