Title: Siamese state ceremonies
First published: 1931
Description: Wales had a unique access to the royal court of Siam and his book describes the royal rituals which were carried out by Brahminical priests in Bangkok. As he says Brahminical Hinduism predated Buddhism which was the religion of the common people. The book considers rituals of coronation and funerals, agricultural rituals, taboos such as on foods and the personal names of the King, among other topics. There is no other account of these important rituals in Thailand amd Wales' account is a serious and professional one, based on his own privileged access.
Subjects: Rites and ceremonies, Social life and customs, Thailand, Thailand, religion, Thailand, politics and government, Rites et cérémonies, HISTORY, Southeast Asia, SOCIAL SCIENCE, Ethnic Studies, General, Manners and customs
Places: Thailand
Time periods: 1930s