# Sart Duan Sib

Sart Duen Sib is the tradition of Thai Southern people that originated from Nakorn Sri Thammarat locals that traded with Indians in the past. Most of Indian tradition and civilization has been propagated from the belief of Brahma, where they had the tradition called “Pet Pli'' which derived from Pali and translated into “Petra” in Sanskrit, meaning “The ones who passed away” or the ancestors who died. According to the belief, if the person was good and full of moral ethics, the Yama (Lord of the Underworld) will take the spirit to heaven. On the other hand, if the person was full of bad karma, then the Yama will take the spirit to hell. The way to prevent the ancestors from hell is to make merit called "Sart".
The word "Sart" originally from pali means "season". This season is when the crop started to be fruitful. Then, for the successful harvest of the produce, the farmer offers some of their produce as an offering to their respected idols. People in the past would have this ritual to pay homage to the crop to spirits or angels as a good fortune. In later times, the idea of making merit in Hinduism and Buddhism got adopted, allowing people to change their beliefs. Then, the festival changed depending on religion and local culture throughout the time. Some places believed that making merit during Sart is dedicated to ancestors and respected ones who passed away. Some might believe that it is a time for huge merit making that will bring good fortune to the family.

## History
### Origin

The tradition of Sart Duan Sib is believed to be a tradition influenced by Indian culture, along with many other traditions that the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat have adopted. This is because the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat have been in contact with India for a long time, even before other parts of Thailand. The majority of Indian culture and civilization has been transmitted to Nakhon Si Thammarat as the first city and then gradually spread to other cities and regions in Thailand.
The tradition of Sart Duan Sib is a tradition that has evolved from the "Pet Pli" tradition of Buddhism. In Buddhism, there is a tradition called "Pet Pli," which is a ritual performed to make merit and dedicate it to the deceased. This tradition has been practiced continuously in India before the time of the Buddha.
The word "Pet" corresponds to the word "Pret" in Sanskrit, meaning "those who have gone before," referring to the deceased ancestors. According to belief, if a person is virtuous, Yama, the lord of death, will guide their spirits to a realm of great happiness, possibly located in the southern direction, similar to the realm of Yama. This belief is rooted in the oldest beliefs of Brahmanism, as found in the Vedas, the scriptures of Brahmanism. Later, Brahmanism developed a new belief concerning hell. Therefore, Indians feared that their ancestors might fall into hell if people did not help them. The way to prevent people from falling into hell was to perform acts of merit and dedicate them, known as the Saradha ritual. Various methods of making merit were prescribed. If descendants or relatives did not perform acts of merit and dedication for their deceased ancestors, they would face great difficulty. Therefore, performing acts of merit dedicated to the deceased ancestors, known as Saradha or Petpli, was solely based on the belief in the fate of the deceased ancestors.
For the belief of Thai people, there was the sacrifice and paying respect to the spirits of those who passed away a long time ago. It is a similar belief to the Indian’s, but Thai spirits will protect their offspring in the home while the deceased in Indian will get the body cremated in 10 days. They believe that the burned body will get soft and weak and will gain strength back once the Sart merit is done.
The tradition of Sart Duen Sib was aimed at celebrating the harvested crop annually and to maintain Buddhism with the offering of harvested produce of the season to the monk, which will be merits for the passed-away ancestors. Moreover, merit-making will help bless the farm and farmers, which'll be held on Waning Day, the 1st day of the 10th lunar month.
According to the belief, Yama will free the spirits from the underworld to meet their offspring for 15 days and back to the underworld on Waning day, 15th day of the 10th Lunar month.

## History

The first Sart festival held in Nakorn Sri Thammarat was in 1923 in front of the field of the city, which objected to gain the donation to restore the retirement club commissioned by the prime minister named Phataranavic Jumroon and Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahitsaraphakdi, the local governor. Both arranged the annual fair consisting of booths and performances of 3 days and nights. Until 1992, they decided to move the venue from the city’s field to the Somdet Phra Srinakarin Park.
Moreover, Southern Thai Buddhism believes that the spirit of the ancestors who performed all good will in their life will be sent to heaven once they pass away but if the person performed all bad karma, they will be punished in hell when they die, depending on their life in the underworld and their offspring’s merit makings.
Hence, on the Waning day, 1st of the 10th lunar month (Homecoming), spirits with bad karma will visit the live people world to receive merits from their offspring and return to hell before the sunset on Waning day, 15th of the 10th Lunar month (Returning)
During this time of the year, the offspring in the mortal world will bring their food for offering to the temple to make merit for the ancestors’ spirit. They believed that the merits they were making will lessen the penalty of bad karma and that they would be reincarnated for a better life in the mortal world again. Nevertheless, the Thai mainly lived based on agriculture and rice farming was the major career. So, in this 10th lunar month season, after all the hard work of planting rice, the farmers can go to the temple and make merit to their ancestors’ spirit and pay respect to the goddess of harvest for the good fortune of their crops.

## Variation
### Northern Thailand

In Northern Thailand, there is a tradition called "Tradition of the 12th month of Peng" It is practiced in the middle of the Buddhist Lent, which is from the 1st day of the waxing moon of the 12th lunar month (approximately the 10th lunar month according to Thai lunar counting) onwards until the 15th day of the waxing moon of the 12th lunar month. It is a tradition to make merit for those who have passed away by offering their offerings to monks by preparing a woven bamboo basket called Cha-lom containing dry food, sweet and savory food, and necessary utensils. Therefore, this tradition has another name: Tan Kuay Salak tradition.

### Central region

Making merit in the 10th lunar month of the Thailand central region is called "Wan Sart Thai", falling on the 15th day of the waning moon of the 10th lunar month, around the end of September - October. It has existed since the Sukhothai. As evidenced in Nang Noppamas's book, when Brahmanism spread into Thailand, Thai people received this tradition from the Brahmin religion. In this festival, there will be 4 types of desserts related to the Wan Sart tradition: Khanom Khao Yaku, Khanom Madupayas, Khanom Khao Thip, and Khanom Kraya Sarth. These are desserts that have been popular for making merit on Sart Day since ancient times.

### Laos culture

Traditions of merit-making of Thai people descending from Lao will be held on the 15th day of the waning moon in the 9th lunar month. Making merit on this day is called "Make merit with Khao Pradubdin", which is the first day that the Lord of the Underworld allows spirits from the underworld to return to the mortal world. Until the 15th day of the waxing moon of the 10th lunar month, those spirits will return to the underworld again. Making merit for spirits on this last day is called “Making merit with Khao Sak” Some local places will allow offerings and keep precepts to dedicate merit to ancestors’ spirit. In addition, sermons are held throughout the day which will tell a story of local literature such as the story of the Ten Lives of Lord Buddha, the story of Thao Kam Ka Dam and etc.

### Khmer culture

The tradition of the 10th lunar month of Khmer Thais is called "Sandonta", is performed on the 14th-15th day of the waning moon of the 10th lunar month of every year.

### Chinese culture

Chinese people's beliefs "Chinese Sart Day" is a day when children and grandchildren hold ceremonies to pay homage to their ancestors while also dedicating merit to unrelated spirits. This is because it is believed that the gates of heaven and underworld are open for spirits to receive merit. The day of Sart falls on the 15th day of the waxing moon of the 7th lunar month, according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
In the morning, they will pay their respects to the gods, during the late morning, they will pay respect to ancestors and, pay homage to wandering spirits or monks along with burning silver and gold paper and sending them to the ancestors in the afternoon time of the day.

### Southern Thailand

Ching Pret is a tradition in southern Thailand that is done on the day of the 10th lunar month. It is a 15-day tradition in the mortal world starting on the waning day of the 1st waning moon of the 10th lunar month, which is considered the day of "Homecoming" or the day of Sart Lek (Small Sart Day). The offspring must prepare sweets to offer the ancestors’ spirit so that they are full and ready to be back to the underworld on the 15th day of the waning moon of the 10th lunar month. It is the day for spirits to return to the underworld known as Sart Yai (Big Sart Day).
The tradition called "Ching Petra" is competing to get the offerings after having placed the offerings for the ghosts. It is believed that after the ghosts are satisfied with the offerings that have been laid out for them, there will be a Se-sang ceremony, which is the farewell to the spirits 'offerings. The participants will compete to get the offerings among each other. It is believed to be a blessing to those who consume the offering. Moreover, it helps the ghosts to make merit and give alms again. From these offerings, the ghosts have eaten. Let it be a blessing to
There were misunderstandings on how people think that Ching Pret is to compete with the food from the spirits and will bring misfortune to themselves. Therefore, it is an incorrect understanding. Many elders confirmed that Ching Petra will not bring misfortune for the person who competes for ghosts in any way. On the contrary, it is considered meritorious because it is believed that if the offspring of any spirit can take it, the spirit will receive a share of that merit.

## Culture influence =

Making merit on the traditional day of the 10th lunar month will be held around September, there will be merit-making at the temple 2 times: the first time on the waning day of the 1st waning moon of the 10th lunar month, called "Homecoming". The 2nd time, on the 15th day of the waning moon of the 10th lunar month, is called "Farewell". Merit making expresses gratitude to ancestors who have passed away by dedicating merit to the spirits of ancestors who have been punished in the underworld considered as the maxim of Brahmanism mixed with the traditions of Buddhism. Buddhists usually return to make merit at their local temple. They may take turns making merit at their father's hometown once. Mother's side once, people who work from places far away from their hometowns have the chance to come back, socialize and get to know their relatives.

## Etymology

This merit-making tradition has many different names. In general, there are 4 types of definitions:
* Called after the month in which merit is traditionally held due to this making merit is held in the 10th lunar month. The local people therefore simply call it "Tradition of making merit in the tenth lunar month".
* Called after the tradition of "Sart" from India that Thailand was influenced by. The word "Sart" is a Pali language, derived from the word "Sarat" (Sanskrit word "Sarat"), Royal Thai Institute of Technology Encyclopedia, B.E. . 2525 gives the meaning that "about or born in the fall Tenth Month Merit Making Festival”. In India, the word “Sart” is the name used to refer to the fall season and there are traditions related to this season. That is, when the season arrives, the crops that are planted to bear fruit will be harvested to make desserts as an offering to the spirits of ancestors or gods that they respect. In the pre-Buddhist era, Brahmins also made offerings to the dead, called "Sarattha". Later, in Lord Buddha's time, he allowed Buddhists to continue to practice this kind of merit making ever since.
* Called after the important steps of the tradition. This tradition has several important steps: Organizing, raising, and competing. Some people therefore call the traditions following these steps “Yam Rab traditions (Food Offering Tradition)” or “Ching Pret (Competing for offerings)”.
* Named after the main purpose of the tradition. This merit-making tradition has the main aim of dedicating merit to ancestors who have passed away which is believed to be a "Petra" in the underworld and it is believed that these spirits will be released to visit their offspring in mortal world on the 1st waning moon day of the 10th lunar month and return to the underworld on the 15th waning moon day. In the 10th month, the offspring will make merit on that day because it is "Homecoming" and "Farewell" to their passed away grandparents. Hence, some locals call this tradition “Making merit to Grandparents (Tumboon – Merit Making, Ta Yai – Grandparents)" or "Tradition of Homecoming and Farewell to Grandparents".

## Held

This tradition seems to be a tradition that stems from the Brahmanism belief called "Sarattha Ceremony" or "Pet Pli" held to make merit for the dead. It is a ceremony for the Petra to eat and use; rice and fish are offered to the spirit to consume. When the Buddha's time arrived, the Lord Buddha considered that this tradition was valuable and worthy of preservation. Therefore, he allowed the followers to continue practicing this ceremony.
There are two scheduled times to make merit in the 10th lunar month: on the 1st waning moon day of the 10th lunar month and on the 15th waning moon day of the 10th lunar month. The people believe that the 1st waning moon day is the day when the lord of the underworld allows spirit to come up and visit their offspring in the mortal world. The offspring will be the ones to make merit and welcome the spirits. When the 15th day of the waning moon arrives, it is the day that spirits must return to the underworld. The offspring will make merit once again, along with sending things to take back, such as snacks that can be kept for a long time, onions, garlic, etc.
"Ham Rub," which has the same meaning as "samrub" in central Thai dialect, refers to a set meal. On this day, the market bustles with people purchasing food items to be arranged in hmus. Arranging a hmu is a family activity, with its size varying depending on the recipient. Typically, a woven bamboo basket or tray serves as the container for a hmu.
Some families may prepare a special ham rub called "Ham Lek," or a small hmu, and set a separate date for presenting it to the souls of deceased grandparents, known as "Grandparents' Welcoming Day." On this day, family members gather to carry the prepared the Ham Rub to the temple and offer them to the monks. In some villages, there may be a parade along the path to the temple, adding a festive atmosphere to the tradition.
The main event today is to bid farewell to the suffering souls of deceased relatives, sending them back to hell. The celebration of hmu rubs includes offering food to the monks and a ceremony for offering funeral robes. It is believed that if this ritual is not performed on this day, the deceased ancestors will not receive any merit, and their living descendants will be deemed unfilial.

## Religious significance

The tradition of the Tenth Lunar Month is a venerable custom that is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Nakhon Si Thammarat, where the tradition is influenced by the combination of Brahmanism and Buddhism. This ritual entails showing respect and acknowledgement to our ancestors, the expression of gratitude towards the departed, and the offering of merits to souls who have transcended to the cycle of reincarnation. These ceremonies occur on the 15th day of the lunar month, allowing departed souls to briefly re-enter the human realm.
On the fifteenth night of the tenth lunar month, known as the "Wan Yak Homrab" or "Homrab Lifting Day," families gather to bring their Homrab trays along with offerings to the temple. Each person dresses neatly and beautifully as it is considered an important merit-making event. The temple visited is usually a nearby one, although different families might visit different temples or participate in a procession, often for the sake of enjoyment.
Some temples may organize competitions during this event. In Nakhon Si Thammarat province, the Homrab procession is particularly grand and eye-catching during the tenth lunar month festival. Both government and private organizations send their own Homrab trays to join the procession and competitions. This festival attracts more tourists to Nakhon Si Thammarat province.
Upon arrival at the temple, participants collectively offer alms to the monks. Afterward, they participate in the "setting up of the Pret" ceremony to spread merit to the deceased. In the past, the Pret was often set up at the base of trees or temple walls. Nowadays, it is more commonly set up in a "Lah Pret" or Pret shop. The food items placed on the Pret typically include the five or six types of desserts, along with other favorite foods. Once the Pret is set up, the monks chant blessings while holding the strings tied to the Lah Pret. After the monks finish chanting, people participate in the "chasing the Pret" activity, where they scramble to grab food from the Lah Pret. Besides being enjoyable, there's a belief that whoever eats food from the Lah Pret will receive powerful blessings for themselves and their families.

## Ritual
### Arranging the "Ham Rub" on the 13th night of the waning moon

"Ham Rub," which has the same meaning as "samrub" in central Thai dialect, refers to a set meal. On this day, the market bustles with people purchasing food items to be arranged in hmus. Arranging a hmu is a family activity, with its size varying depending on the recipient. Typically, a woven bamboo basket or tray serves as the container for a hmu.
Some families may prepare a special ham rub called "Ham Lek," or a small hmu, and set a separate date for presenting it to the souls of deceased grandparents, known as "Grandparents' Welcoming Day."

### Preparation of Offerings – Ham Rab

When it comes to the 14th day of the waning moon of the tenth lunar month, which is called "On the day of Long Hamrab", each family will come together to bring various items and utensils to prepare for the Hamrab. There is no definite format of the arrangement. But the order of arranging the items for the ceremony is the same, starting with baskets, baskets, trays or basins as containers. Then cover the bottom with rice. Followed by garlic, chili, salt, sugar and necessary condiments. Next, add dry food items such as salted fish, vegetables and fruits that can be stored for a long time such as pumpkin, coconut, turmeric, langsat, rambutan, Longan, galangal, lemongrass, etc. Then, add items for daily use such as coconut oil, matches, pots, pans, bowls, needles and thread and betel nut. Finally, add the most important thing to the Hamrab, which is 5 desserts, each of which has a different meaning: Puffed dessert - a symbol of a raft for the spirit to use while sailing across the ocean, Khanom La - clothing, Khanom Kong or Khanom Kai Pla - jewelry, Khanom Dee Sum - money for living, Khanom Ba - Saba toy, used for playing. In the case where there are 6 desserts, La Loi Mun dessert will be added, which is used instead of a pillow and mattress.

### Presenting the Offerings – Yom Rab

On the 15th day of the waning moon of the 10th lunar month, Yom Rab. They would bring the offerings along with food to the temple. Each person is dressed cleanly and beautifully because it is considered an important merit making. The temple they go to is usually a temple close to their home and some temples may hold contests. In the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, there will be a grand and spectacular Hamrab parade in the 10th lunar month annually. Both government and private organizations send their own hummingbirds to participate in the procession and contest. During this festival, we can attract even more tourists to visit Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

### Ching Pret (Fighting for food offered to Pretas)

After the ceremonies for ham rubs and funeral robes offerings are completed, people often place leftover sweets in various locations within the temple area, such as at the base of large trees or on the temple walls. This practice, known as "Tang Pret," involves presenting food offerings to Pretas, or wandering spirits, who have no family. In some temples, a structure called "Sala Pret" (Pavilion for Pretas) is constructed specifically for this purpose. A sacred thread is tied to the pavilion to transfer merit from the temple to these abandoned spirits.
Once the Buddhist ceremony in the temple concludes and the sacred thread is removed from the pavilion, the next activity is "Ching Pret," or competing for the food offered to the Pretas. Both adults and children participate, eagerly running to the pavilion and vying for the sweets. It is believed that consuming leftovers from these offerings will bestow a significant amount of merit and bring prosperity to themselves and their families.
Some temples construct a scaffold with a single, tall, and slippery pillar for this activity, making it more challenging to participate in Ching Pret. Many participants may slip and fall from the pillar due to its slippery surface or because others pull them down in the competition. Despite the added obstacles, the challenge of climbing the pillar makes the activity more enjoyable and thrilling for participants.

## Celebrations

On the night of the fourteenth day of the tenth lunar month, known as "Wan Long Homrab," families come together to prepare the "Homrab" ceremony. Each family contributes various food items and utensils to create the Homrab tray. While there's no fixed format for the ceremony, the sequence of arranging items on the tray is usually similar.
It typically begins by placing trays, baskets, or containers, then lining them with uncooked rice, followed by garlic, chili, salt, sugar, and necessary seasonings. Next, they include dried food items such as salted fish and preserved vegetables like pumpkin, coconut, turmeric, roselle, longan, dried shrimp paste, galangal, lemongrass, and more. After that, they add everyday household items such as coconut oil, wooden sticks, pots, pans, cups, needles, and thread, as well as traditional toys.
Finally, they add the most significant items, which are five types of desserts. Each dessert symbolizes different meanings:
* Krayasart a popular sweet during the festival, is widely available across Thailand. It consists of popped rice, nuts, sesame seeds, and sugar, commonly prepared for Buddhist celebrations.
* Khanom Phong, also made from popped rice, has a buoyant quality, resembling boats or rafts used by the deceased to navigate the afterlife's rivers.
* Khanom La, shaped like woven cloth, symbolizes clothing and is believed to easily pass through the mouths of the deceased spirits.
* Khanom Ba represents a traditional spinning top, resembling the Look Saba toy popular in the past.
* Khanom Deesum, resembling money cowry, symbolizes wealth. People offer it to ensure their departed loved ones have money in the afterlife.
* Khanom Kong, with its circular shape, symbolizes jewelry like bracelets or rings
In case there are six types of desserts, they add "Khanom La Loy Man," symbolizing a pillow. Each dessert holds its own symbolic significance, representing various aspects related to the journey of the deceased and the afterlife.

### Common Celebratory Practices of each Region in Thailand
#### Northern Region

The northern region observes the "Twelve-Peng Ceremony" during the midwinter season, starting from the night of the 1st day of the 12th lunar month (approximately October according to the Thai lunar calendar) until the 15th day of the same month. The Twelve-Peng Ceremony is a ritual held to dedicate merits to the deceased or to offer alms to Buddhist monks by preparing small baskets (or trays) filled with food items such as sticky rice, dried snacks, and essential items. This tradition is also known as the "Taan Kuay Salaak" ceremony.

#### Central Region

The tenth lunar month ceremony in the central region, known as Thai Sart, falls on the 15th night of the 10th lunar month, which corresponds to late September to October. This tradition dates to the Sukhothai period, as evidenced by historical records in the books of Nang Nopamath. Thai people adopted this tradition from Buddhism, with four types of sweets associated with the Thai Sart ceremony: Krayasart, Kaow Mathupayas, Khanom Khao Thip, and Khanom Kraya Sart. These sweets have been popular offerings since ancient times.
* Krayasart Khao Kuay is a sweet made from freshly pounded rice grains, symbolizing the auspiciousness of newly planted rice. Legend has it that this tradition originates from the belief that offering newly planted rice to the Buddha resulted in the first rain. Hence, people make Krayasart to offer to the Buddha, hoping for a good harvest.
* Kaow Mathupayas is rice cooked with milk and honey, inspired by the story in Buddhist history where Lady Suchada offered Kaow Mathupayas to the Buddha before attaining enlightenment.
* Khanom Khao Thip is a sweet made from rice, typically mixed with ingredients such as coconut, sesame seeds, peanuts, and sugar. It is believed to be inspired by attempts to make Kaow Mathupayas or having Kaow Mathupayas as inspiration. Khanom Khao Thip may include various ingredients, depending on the local recipe. For example, in the northeastern region, some recipes may include beneficial herbs as ingredients. Khanom Khao Thip-making later became a royal ceremony during the Thai Sart period, using large trays for preparation. The ceremony begins with the chanting of blessings, inviting celestial beings, and then women wearing white attire take turns making the sweets. After the monks have finished chanting, other women may also participate in making the sweets, as it takes a significant amount of time to prepare them. It is a traditional ceremony that requires extensive cooperation.

#### Thai - Laos Ethnicity

The Thai-Lao people observe the Sart ceremony on the 15th night of the 9th lunar month, known as "Tambun Khao Pradab Din," which marks the day when King Yama opens the gates of hell to allow spirits to return to the human world until the 15th night of the 10th lunar month. On the last day, known as "Tambun Khao Sak," offerings are made. Some regions may also organize feasts and cultural performances, such as Mahosadha tales, stories of the Ten Virtues, and tales of Khun Chang Khun Phaen.

#### Thai - Khmer Ethnicity

The Thai-Khmer Sart ceremony takes place on the 14th and 15th nights of the 10th lunar month every year, known as "Santhorn Ta," where various rituals are performed.