Accompanying the traditional dinner fare is a dazzling display of local dances. The ancient heritage of the Lanna Thai Culture is proudly showcased in these performances; this is the highlite of most tourists' trip to ChiangMai!
Dance is actually the main dramatic art form of Thailand. Like other Asian dance, it can be divided into two categories. The first is known as high art which is basically classical dance. The second is low art which is more of a folk dance. We understand that while travelling, it can be very tiring and in the evenings it is tempting to return to your hostel to read a book or play about on www.partypoker.com, but it is well worth to watch a dance show as well, as it is such a huge part of Thai culture.
There are many varieties of countryside dances, old traditional dances and other local ceremonial dances.
Typical and popular dances you're likely to see while at one of these shows will include some of these:
- Fawn Tian (Candle Dance)
- Fawn Leb (Fingernail Dance)
- Fawn Ngiew (Scarf Dance)
- Fawn Marn Gum Ber (Butterfly Dance))
- Klong Mong Sueng (Mong Sueng Drum Dance)
- Tea Leaf Picking Dance (Yao Hilltribe Dance)
- Klong Sabut Chai (Beating Drum Dance)
- Fon Yokee Tavai Fai (Burmese Dance))
- Fon Sao Mai (Silk Weaving Dance)
- Fon Man Mui Chiangta (Northern Thai Classical)
- Rabum Ekho (Akha Hilltribe Dance)
- Rabum Lisu (Lisu Hilltribe Dance)
- Ram Wong (Thai Folk Dance)
The Fawn Tian, or Candle Dance is probably the most famous. Pairs of female dancers carry lighted candles in each hand dressed in gorgeous sarongs, jackets and shoulder cloths. They gently move in short measured steps and sway to the music while carrying the candles gracefully.
The dancers are accompanied by a small orchestra playing traditional instruments. In the middle is the xylophone-like instrument called the Ranad, very famous in Thailand. Surrounding him, all seated in lotus position, are the band members playing instruments like the Glong Aw, Mon Tapone, Pee Mon, Sharb Yai, Glong Talod, Shing and the Mong.
As you can probably tell there are many dances centered around timeless agricultural activities. These dances vary as hilltribes in the region were always geographically isolated. That's why there is such a diversity of both costumes and dances!