Pinphat Ham-hae: The Music in Celebratory Ritual Procession of Golden Pinnacle Phra That Phanom

Abstract

Pinphat Ham-hae is a type of Pinphat music ensemble comprising musical instruments, Ranat Ek, Khong Wong Yhai, Taphon and Klong Tat, which are tethered together with palanquins, while Ching, Pii Nai, Krup and Chab. Musical performance will be conducted along with movement of performers. Pinphat Ham-hae is generally performed in religious rituals and royal events and ceremonies. Pinphat Ham-hae has been widely performed in the greater Mekong subregion including Lanna, Lanchang and Khmer cultures. During the renovation of Phra That Phanom in 2019-2020, three times of gold donation events were organized to gather gold from Buddhists for assembling the golden pinnacle of Phra That Phanom. For each gold donation ceremony, traditional celebratory ritual processions were arranged from the start point nearby Phra That Phanom and moved towards the venue. Thereafter, the ritual for golden pinnacle assembly was performed along with musical performance by Pinphat Ham-hae using Klom song.