Consummation of the Ancient Waikhruu Tradition
UCLA is set to host a two-day Thai waikhruu ritual event on March 11 and 12, 2017, in the Jan Popper Theater, marking a significant cultural and educational occasion. The event will feature musicians from the Luang Praditpairoh Foundation in Thailand, who have been invited to conduct the ritual on campus.
Background
Wai Khru is a traditional Thai ceremony that translates to "paying respect to teachers." It is widely practiced in Thailand each year, typically at the beginning of a new academic term. During the ritual, students honor their teachers to express gratitude, respect, and acknowledge the important role of educators in their lives and society.
The Significance of the Event at UCLA
The 2017 Wai Khru event at UCLA marks one of the first times this culturally rich and spiritual Thai tradition was formally observed on the campus of a major American university. It serves multiple important purposes:
- Cultural Preservation: It allows the Thai student community and others interested in Thai culture to preserve and share a crucial aspect of their cultural heritage.
- Cultural Education: The event fosters greater awareness and understanding of Thai traditions among UCLA students, faculty, and the broader Southern California community.
- Community Building: It fosters a sense of unity and respect within the Thai diaspora as well as between different cultural groups at UCLA.
- Cross-Cultural Exchange: The ritual provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of teachers universally, promoting respect for education and mentorship across cultural lines.
The Restored Thai Musical Instrument Collection at UCLA
Thai music was established at UCLA by Dr. David Morton in the 1960s and 1970s and was revived in spring 2016 by Dr. Supeena Insee Adler. Much of the Thai musical instrument collection at UCLA came in the 1960s from the Bangkok house of master Luang Praditpairoh, a renowned Thai classical musician of the first half of the 20th century. The collection was restored by Adler in 2015 and is now being played again by students at the university in a Thai music ensemble class.
Participating Organizations
Several student organizations and academic groups are participating in or supporting the event, including UCLA’s Thai Student Association, the Asian American Studies Department, the UCLA International Institute, and local Thai community groups.
Post-Ritual Activities
After the ritual, the musicians will make a studio recording at UCLA to produce educational materials for students and scholars worldwide. This recording will serve as a valuable resource for those interested in learning more about traditional Thai music and the waikhruu ritual.
The historic Thai Wai Khru ritual event held at UCLA in 2017 is a testament to the university's commitment to cultural diversity and educational excellence. By hosting such events, UCLA fosters a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of its students and the broader world.
- This significant event, held at UCLA, promises to enrich the lifestyle of students and visitors by offering insights into fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and travel through the celebration of Thai culture.
- The post-ritual activities, such as the studio recording of traditional Thai music, will provide an avenue for food-and-drink enthusiasts, fashion-and-beauty lovers, and travelers to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Thai culture, broadening their horizons in the process.
