David Clay Photography
Bringing the food
Temple Festival at Wat Muang Khon, Tambon Pa Phai, Amphoe San Sai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50210, Thailand
"Women are seen as having their own forms of magical power, and these can be regarded as antithetical to those of monks. This is partly related to menstruation, which implies the post-menopausal women are less of a threat than pre-menopausal ones. This may be part of the reason that the activity of providing food for monks on special occasions at the temple tend to be in the hands of older women thought the experience and authority of such women in household kitchens and management in general is probably involved." (Source: Popular Relion in Southeast Asia by Robert L. Winzeler
The Mangs (Thai slang for mother, matron or the queen) of the temple have been preparing the enormous amounts of food to feed the visiting monks and the hundreds of lay members and guests from the surrounding Muang (District) attending the Temple Fair.
Northern Thailand is a culinary crossroads with blends of flavors and influences from the Shan in Myanmar, Northern Thai, Chinese and Lao cultures.
The women form a continuous line and bring the food from a staging area and gather up the 'tapas' style small plates. They carry large trays with 5 different dishes of vegetarian based cuisine, soupy coconut milk curries, nam prik pao - a red chile paste and spicy salsas made from grilled garlic, shallots and chiles with warm sticky rice servings collected in plastic bags. The women will eat after everyone else has been served.
Everyone in the community is invited and everyone comes to make 'merit' and enjoy a holiday with food, rides for the children, music and drumming contests in the evening from traditional Thai goblet drums.
Bringing the food
Temple Festival at Wat Muang Khon, Tambon Pa Phai, Amphoe San Sai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50210, Thailand
"Women are seen as having their own forms of magical power, and these can be regarded as antithetical to those of monks. This is partly related to menstruation, which implies the post-menopausal women are less of a threat than pre-menopausal ones. This may be part of the reason that the activity of providing food for monks on special occasions at the temple tend to be in the hands of older women thought the experience and authority of such women in household kitchens and management in general is probably involved." (Source: Popular Relion in Southeast Asia by Robert L. Winzeler
The Mangs (Thai slang for mother, matron or the queen) of the temple have been preparing the enormous amounts of food to feed the visiting monks and the hundreds of lay members and guests from the surrounding Muang (District) attending the Temple Fair.
Northern Thailand is a culinary crossroads with blends of flavors and influences from the Shan in Myanmar, Northern Thai, Chinese and Lao cultures.
The women form a continuous line and bring the food from a staging area and gather up the 'tapas' style small plates. They carry large trays with 5 different dishes of vegetarian based cuisine, soupy coconut milk curries, nam prik pao - a red chile paste and spicy salsas made from grilled garlic, shallots and chiles with warm sticky rice servings collected in plastic bags. The women will eat after everyone else has been served.
Everyone in the community is invited and everyone comes to make 'merit' and enjoy a holiday with food, rides for the children, music and drumming contests in the evening from traditional Thai goblet drums.