Th 9 - Swing to Death!

"To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent."
- Siddhārtha Gautama Buddha (563 BC - 483 BC)

The Giant Swing
เสาชิงช้า
Sao Ching Cha

One of the ritual that have been stopped in view of numerous casualties was the Ceremony of Tri-yampawai or the Swinging Festival done at the Giant Swing. The Giant Swing was originally constructed in 1784 in front of the Devasathan shrine by King Rama I.

The Swinging Festival usually occurs at about Christmas time. Processions bear the 'mock king,' who is an official of high rank, to the big swing. Brahmin priests lead him to a carpeted platform where he sits with one foot placed on his knee to observe the unfolding events. He is attended by four Brahmin priests, two on his right and two on his left, until the three rounds of swinging have ended. This can take about two hours. If he touches the floor with his raised foot before the games are ended, the Brahmins were allowed to strip him of his property and clothes and chase him through the streets. Nowadays, he has to pay a hefty fine to the Brahmins instead.

Old picture of the Swing Ceremony

Four or five men, who are dressed in white with tall conical hats, mount the swing and urge it towards a bamboo pole on which a bag of money is hung. The nearest man on the swing tries to grab it with his teeth. This is somewhat difficult and dangerous as the swing supports are 75 feet high. The first set of swingers who succeed get twelve ticals, the second eight, and the third four. After the third set has proved successful the Brahmin priests then sprinkle water as a blessing, and everyone returns to the palace.

The Swing Ceremong are based on the story from an ancient Hindu epic - after Brahma created the world he sent Shiva to look after it. When Shiva descended to the earth, Naga serpents wrapped around the mountains in order to keep the earth in place. When Shiva found the earth solid, the Nagas moved to the seas in celebration. The Swing Ceremony is a re-enactment of this story. The pillars of the Giant Swing represent the mountains, while the circular base of the swing represents the earth and the seas. In the ceremony Brahmins swing, trying to grab a bag of coins placed on one of the pillars.

Maybe it takes courage or even stupidity to revive back this fatal ceremony. Wat Suthat - the royal temple on the background.