Waikhruu Ceremony Unveiled: A Look Into Its Traditional Practices
In March 2017, UCLA hosted a significant cultural and educational event titled Wai Khun Khruu Buchaa Khrueang. The event aimed to celebrate the restoration of the Thai traditional musical instrument collection at UCLA.
The two-day event, held on March 11 and 12, 2017, in the Jan Popper Theater, was a historic occasion as it brought the traditional Thai cultural ceremony to a Western academic institution.
Background
Wai Khru, meaning "paying respect to teachers", is an ancient Thai ritual deeply embedded in Thai culture and education. It is traditionally celebrated in schools throughout Thailand, often at the start of the academic year. The ritual typically involves offerings of flowers and symbolic items to teachers and a formal recitation or bowing to show respect.
While common in Thailand, Wai Khru ceremonies outside of Thailand are rare and typically organized by Thai communities or cultural organizations abroad. The UCLA event marked a historic moment as it brought this traditional Thai cultural ceremony to a Western academic institution, thereby promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
Purpose of the Event
The event served several purposes:
- To promote Thai cultural heritage and educate the UCLA community and local residents about this important Thai tradition.
- To provide an authentic cultural experience for Thai students, Thai-American youth, and others interested in Thai customs.
- To strengthen community ties among Thai organizations, UCLA students, faculty, and local Thai communities.
- To serve as a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue between Thailand and the United States.
- To support the preservation and transmission of Thai cultural practices to younger generations abroad.
Participating Organizations
Several organizations contributed to the success of the event:
- UCLA Thai Student Association (TSA) - A student group dedicated to promoting Thai culture and supporting Thai students at UCLA.
- Thai Cultural Center at UCLA - An entity possibly affiliated with academic programs or cultural outreach, supporting Thai language, arts, and traditions.
- Local Thai Community and Cultural Groups in Los Angeles - Including local temples, Thai cultural organizations, and community leaders who helped organize, sponsor, or participate.
- UCLA Asian Pacific American Student Services and Related Offices - Often involved in supporting cultural events and facilitating campus-wide participation.
- Thai Embassy or Consulate Representatives - Representatives or cultural attaches from the Royal Thai Consulate or Embassy might have been involved to lend official support or cultural endorsement.
The Event
The event was presented by the World Music Center at UCLA, which includes the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive, the UCLA World Musical Instrument Collection, and UCLA Ethnomusicology Publications. The event was funded by the Royal Thai Consulate General in Los Angeles, the Thailand Foundation, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Los Angeles, Thai Beverage, the Luang Praditpairoh (Sorn Silpabanleng) Foundation in Thailand, and multiple organizations in Thailand and the U.S., as well as private donors.
Ten student Thai music groups from California and one from Chicago, as well as UCLA's ensemble, attended the UCLA event. The musical instruments at UCLA were restored by Adler in 2015 and are now being played again by students at the university in a Thai music ensemble class.
The group of musicians from the Luang Praditpairoh (Sorn Silpabanleng) Foundation in Thailand conducted the two-day waikhruu ritual on campus. After the ritual, they made a studio recording at UCLA to produce educational materials for students and scholars worldwide. The musicians also performed in other university classes and at two Thai community centers to promote Thai music throughout Southern California.
The event was both a celebration and an educational opportunity that showcased the richness of Thai culture and the importance of teachers in shaping individuals' lives, bridging cultural gaps, and honoring traditions even far from Thailand.
Dr. Supeena Insee Adler revived Thai music at UCLA in spring 2016. The historic two-day Thai Wai Khruu ritual event held at UCLA in 2017 was a significant cultural and educational occasion designed to celebrate and honor the traditional Thai practice of Wai Khru.
- The two-day Wai Khruu ritual held at UCLA in March 2017 expanded the university's lifestyle and education offerings, introducing fashion-and-beauty elements, such as traditional Thai costumes, and featuring entertainment including Thai music and dance.
- In addition to celebrating Thai culture, the event facilitated cross-cultural understanding through education-and-self-development workshops, providing participants with insights into the importance of Thai musical instruments in entertainment and in the broader context of Thai culture and traditions.
