View source for Phi Ta Khon

{{Short description|Festival in Loei province, Thailand}}
[[Image:Ghosts.PeeTaKhon2.jpg|thumb|300px|Ghosts of Phi Ta Khon]]
{{multiple image
| image1    = Ghosts.PeeTaKhon.jpg
| width1    = 170
| caption1  = Ghosts holding palak khik (penis amulet)
| image2    = Ghosts.PeeTaKhon3.jpg
| width2    = 180
| caption2  = Villagers greet the medium (day 2)
}}
'''Phi Ta Khon''' ({{langx|th|ผีตาโขน}}; phǐi taa khǒn; {{IPA|th|pʰǐː taː kʰǒn|}}) is a festival held in Dan Sai, [[Loei province]], [[Isan]], Thailand. The events take place over three days sometime between March and July, the dates being selected annually by the town’s [[Mediumship|medium]]s.
The whole event is called ''Bun Luang'', part of a Buddhist [[merit-making]] holiday also known as ''Bun Phawet'' (assembly day). The town’s residents invite protection from ''Phra U-pakut'', the spirit of the Mun river. They then hold a series of games and take part in a procession wearing [[mask]]s made of the sheaths or bottom part of thick palm leaf stems. Bamboo sticky rice steaming baskets are stitched onto the tops of the sheaths to make the top section of the mask. Artists paint the masks with very creative and intricate designs and add carved wooden noses and ear-like appendages. The dancers wear loose and colorful [[patchwork]] pants and shirts, with strings of bells hanging down from their belts, in the back. They tease the spectators with big wooden [[phallus]]es.
The origins of this part of the festival are traditionally ascribed to a story of the [[Vessantara Jataka]] in which the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] in one of his past lives as a prince made a long journey and was presumed dead. The celebrations on his return were so raucous as to wake the dead. <ref>[http://www.thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_phitakhon.htm Phi Ta Khon Festival - Thailand Tourism] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704064122/http://www.thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_phitakhon.htm |date=2008-07-04 }}</ref>
The second day of the festival incorporates elements of the [[Rocket Festival]], plus costume and dance contests and more parades.
On the third and final day, the villagers listen to [[Dharma talk|sermons]] from [[Buddhist monks]].
==See also==
*[[Transfer of merit]]
*[[Rocket Festival]]
== References ==
<references/>
== External links ==
{{commonscat|Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080123184324/http://sunsite.au.ac.th/thailand/special_event/ghost/index.html The Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival - Assumption University]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080203111354/http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai_article/2105_phi_ta_khon/phi_ta_khon.html Phi Ta Khon - Thai Ways Magazine]
[[Category:Thai folklore]]
[[Category:Buddhist festivals in Thailand]]
[[Category:Isan culture]]
[[Category:Buddhist holidays]]
[[Category:March observances]]
[[Category:April observances]]
[[Category:May observances]]
[[Category:June observances]]
[[Category:July observances]]
[[Category:Holidays and observances by scheduling (varies)]]