Lao Script (PC only)(Suthasinee Srisawat holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Mahasarakham University. Currently she works as an Assistant Teacher teaching first, third and fifth grade students in Japan.)
Preface
Bun Bang Fai, the Fire Rocket Festival, is a celebration of fertility that takes place during the sixth lunar month of every year.
Lao and Isan people make fire rockets decorated with elaborate and colorful designs and motifs in order to shoot them up into the sky to awaken Phaya Thaen, the sky god, to send them rain for their crops.
The celebration of Bun Bang Fai has been passed on down from generation to generation and has been part of Lao/Isan cultural traditions known as Hid Sipsong Khong Sipsi, the 12 rituals and 14 rites.
Bun Bang Fai probably has its origin from the classic love story of Phadaeng and Nang Ai.
Phadaeng and Nang Ai
A Play in Nine Acts
Dramatis Personae and Locales:
Daowading Heaven
Phra In, King of the Gods, Lord of Weather and War.
Muang Ekthita
Phaya Khom, King of Ekthita
Nang Chan, Queen of Ekthita
Nang Aikham, Princess of Ekthita, lover of Phadaeng. Previously Nang Amkha
Nurse, attendant of Nang Aikham
Hunter
Kham Teung, village woman
Mae Phon, a widow
Muang Phaphong
Suwan Naga, King of Phaphong
Thao Phadaeng, Prince of Phaphong and Lover of Nang Aikham
Muang Sisattanakhanahut
Suttho Naga, King of Sisattanakhanahut
Thao Phangkhi, Prince of Sisattanakhanahut, White Squirrel. Previously Bai
Naga servants, attendants of Thao Phangkhi
Act I, Scene I . In the Royal Garden of Muang Ekthita
PHAYA KHOM and NANG CHAN in the royal garden.
Phaya Khom was the ruler of Muang Ekthita, located south of Muang Nong Sae. Sharing his throne was his beautiful queen Nang Chan. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter named Nang Aikham.
Enter NANG AIKHAM.
When Nang Aikham came of age, word of her beauty spread throughout every corner of the region and evoked young princes and suitors to win her heart and hand in marriage.
Her beauty caught Thao Phadaeng’s ears, a young prince from Muang Phaphong. He quickly rode his horse to Muang Ekthita.
Exit PHAYA KHOM and NANG CHAN. Enter THAO PHADAENG.
At Muang Ekthita, Nang Aikham and her entourage were enjoying the flowers in the garden. Thao Phadaeng was hiding behind the bushes admiring her beauty. Then he could resist no more and approached her from behind.
Who are you? How did you get in here?
I am Thao Phadaeng, prince of Muang Phaphong. Please, don’t be frightened. Your name and beauty are spoken of by every man. They say no other maiden in these lands can compare.
But I came to see with my own eyes whether your beauty was real or a myth. Now that I’ve laid my eyes on you, your beauty surpasses your reputation.
Thank you!
Thao Phadaeng’s passionate words made Nang Aikham blush as red as the red lotus.
NANG AIKHAM tries to shy away from THAO PHADAENG. He takes hold of her and tries to kiss her.
Do you believe in fate? I have loved you since the day I whispered your name.
How do I know you are truly the prince of Muang Phaphong? How can I be sure you’re not an imposter?
Ah, such beauty possesses great intelligence. I present you my ring to confirm my true identity. Behold the seal of Muang Phaphong!
My prince!
Now that I’ve touched, smelled, and seen your beauty, I cannot bear to part from you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?
But...
I promise I will marry you according to rightful custom.
Their love was consummated and Phadaeng returned to Muang Phaphong.
Exit THAO PHADAENG and NANG AIKHAM.
Act I, Scene II. Phaya Khom’s Palace in Muang Ekthita
Enter NANG AIKHAM and PHAYA KHOM.
Nang Aikham turned fifteen years old. Phaya Khom planned to marry his daughter off to the rightful suitor by holding a fire rocket contest.
In the sixth lunar month, Phaya Khom announced and invited every city to come and participate.
However, Thao Phadaeng was not invited, but he went to join the festivity, hoping to see Nang Aikham again.
Enter THAO PHADAENG stealthily.
Act I, Scene III. Bun Bang Fai Contest at Muang Ekthita
Welcome honored guests to Ekthita and Bun Bang Fai!
I’m happy to see you all here with your fire rockets.
Make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the festivities. Tomorrow, we’ll begin our contest. Whoever wins the contest, I will reward him with our court ladies and treasures, including my daughter. Let’s eat!
The citizens of Muang Ekthita fed and entertained the foreign guests until dawn.
All of the honored guests were excited, especially Phadaeng.
Enter THAO PHANGKHI
Thao Phangkhi, the prince of Muang Sisattanakhanahut also came in disguise to join in the festivity, but he was more anxious to see Nang Aikham. Hiding from behind the bushes, he saw Nang Aikham and was intoxicated by her beauty. He wanted to introduce himself to her, but there were many royal guards guarding her.
In his past life, Phangkhi was known as Bai, meaning dumb, and Nang Aikham was the daughter of a rich man. She was known as Nang Amkha and lived in opulence.
One day, Bai went to the rich man’s house seeking work. He was happy working for the rich man. The rich man saw that Bai was a very diligent and hard worker so he decided to give Amkha’s hand in marriage to Bai. However, the couple was not happy being together.
One day, Bai went to visit his hometown and Amkha went with him. During their journey, Amkha carried their belongings and food basket. Bai did not help carry anything except his machete. Many days passed, their food supplies were gone and they saw a fig tree, a ton mak dua.
Bai climbed up the fig tree and ate them until he was full.
Amkha asked Bai to throw them down to her, but he ignored her pleas.
He let Amkha climb up the fig tree to pick her own figs.
Then Bai left Amkha all alone in the forest.
When Amkha came down from the fig tree, she did not find her husband. She wept and got lost in the forest. Overcame with great sorrow, she decided to take her own life by jumping into the river.
Before she died, she cursed her husband.
May you die on a tree in your next life!
Act I, Scene IV. At the Bang Fai Contest at Muang Ekthita
Anxiously waiting for Phaya Khom, all the guests prepared and rechecked their fire rockets ensuring that their rocket will be the winner. They were impatient to ignite their winning fire rockets. Each city staked out their spot and waited for Phaya Khom to open the contest.
Gentlemen! Please ignite your rockets!
Every city’s rocket was ignited and went up glaring in the bright blue sky.
However, Phaya Khom’s rocket didn’t even ignite.
Phadaeng also faced with misfortune. His rocket exploded into little pieces.
Phaya Khom was angry and didn’t honor his words and asked everyone to go home.
The winner of the contest and other guests went home empty-handed.
Phadaeng rode his horse back to Muang Phaphong.
Exit ALL.
Act II, Scene I. The Royal Court of Muang Sisattanakhanahut
Thao Phangkhi returned home, only to be miserable because he could not erase Nang Aikham’s beauty from his mind. He could not sleep, eat, or breathe. He went to his father.
What beauty! Thousands and thousands of flowers cannot be compared. You are my lotus! What do you smell, taste and feel like? Oh, your voice must be more soothing than the Kinnari. How can I make you mine? What should I do? Yes, father!
THAO PHANGKHI exits.
Act II, Scene II. In Suttho Naga’s Chamber of Muang Sisattanakhanahut
SUTTHO NAGA enters, feeds fish. THAO PHANGKHI enters.
Father! I bid you farewell, for my heart is in Ekthita.
What’s this all about? Are you mad son? What’s with all this sweet and dreamy nonsense? I don’t like it when you become weak like this! Leave me in peace at once!
Please father! I came to beg of you. Let me go to Muang Ekthita. I shall die if I don’t go.
No! I will not let you associate with those filthy, blood-sucking humans!
SUTTHO NAGA sniffs THAO PHANGKHI disapprovingly.
Is that human odor I smell?
Yes! Yes! I’ve been up there! And I want to go up there again.
How dare you disobey me! Go to your cave at once!
On his hands and knees, Phangkhi begged and begged his father. Seeing that his son was in such sorrow, Suttho Naga gave in to his son’s wish.
Phangkhi! You’re my only son, be careful and take several of our nagas with you. I love you son!
Thank you father. I will bring back a beautiful daughter-in-law for you to admire.
Exit ALL.
Act III, Scene I. A Forest In Muang Ekthita
Enter THAO PHANGKHI
Arriving at Muang Ekthita, Phangkhi disguised himself as a white squirrel in order to be near and see Nang Aikham.
His nagas turned themselves into other animals; some were deer, birds, rabbits, etc.
As the white squirrel, Phangkhi, jumped on a branch of a tree near Nang Aikham’s chamber. He was staring at Nang Aikham when she saw his presence.
Enter NANG AIKHAM.
What is that? It’s beautiful! How cute! Oh, a white squirrel! Come! Come here!
Enter NANG AIKHAM’S NURSE, startling THAO PHANGKHI.
Come my daughter! They are dancing and singing outside of your favorite lam and fon!
No! No! No! I want that white squirrel! Please tell the hunter to come and catch it for me.
Enter HUNTER.
The hunter came and saw the white squirrel sitting on the branch of the tree. He aimed his bow and poisoned arrow at the white squirrel and let it fly straight into the heart of Phangkhi. All the animals, Phangkhi’s nagas, rushed to their master and surrounded his wounded body.
Master! Master! Master!
Please, may my meat be very delicious and may it become enough for all the people in Ekthita to eat.
NANG AIKHAM and NURSE come to THAO PHANGKHI. Exit HUNTER.
Nurse, please take this white squirrel and give it to the royal chef to divide up all the meat to every Ekthita citizen.
Yes, my lady.
Everyone came to get their share of Phangkhi’s meat, even the widows came from the Widow’s Village. Phangkhi’s meat was divided up equally and distributed to all the residents of Ekthitan. Some made the meat into laab, o, om, kaeng, poan, and so on. The only people who didn’t get a share were the widows in the city.
Enter KHAM TEUNG, MAE PHON
I want a share! I’ll take it to my wife to make laab.
Give me some too!
No! No! You can’t. You’re a widow.
Yes! I’m human also!
Exit ALL
Act IV, Scene I. In The Royal Court of Muang Sisattanakhanahut, Badan
Enter NAGA SERVANTS. Enter SUTTHO NAGA.
Your majesty! Your majesty! Phangkhi! Phangkhi! Phangkhi!
What is it?
Phangkhi has been killed. Muang Ekthita and their citizens had consumed Phangkhi’s meat.
What! Who? Who dare kill my son? Who dares eat my son’s meat. Those who ate Phangkhi will die! You! Go recruit tens of thousands of our army division! We will take our revenge for Phangkhi!
Act V, Scene I. The Royal Palace of Muang Phaphong
Enter THAO PHADAENG.
Phadaeng couldn’t erase the image of Nang Aikham from his mind. He longed for her, day and night. Finally, he could not withhold his desire for her any longer. He rode his horse to Muang Ekthita once more.
Exit THAO PHADAENG.
Act VI, Scene I. Nang Aikham’s Chamber in the Royal Palace of Muang Ekthita
Enter THAO PHADAENG. Enter NANG AIKHAM.
Nang Aikham!
THAO PHADAENG takes hold of NANG AIKHAM and kisses her.
I thought you would never come back. You didn’t break your promise! You must be tired. Here! This is om squirrel. It’s very special and delicious. It’s made of white squirrel!
This is not an ordinary squirrel. It’s Phangkhi in disguised. You mustn’t eat it. Your kingdom will perish! The nagas will come and take their revenge on those who have eaten Phangkhi’s meat!
What? Changsan bo ai! Hed changdai la, phuak khoi dai kin seen kalog leo!
Go fetch our belongings. Come with me and you’ll be safe! Pai kep khao kep khong chao, ai si pha nee, pa!
Enter HUNTER hurriedly.
Catastrophe! Death! You must leave at once! The naga are terrorizing our city. People are dropping like maengpor.
Quickly! Follow me!
THAO PHADAENG grabs hold of NANG AIKHAM’s right hand and exits.
Wait! My things!
Quickly!
Nang Ai took her royal family ring, khong, and drum, and escaped with Phadaeng.
Exit ALL.
Act VI, Scene II. The Naga Army Arrives at Muang Ekthita
Enter SUTTHO NAGA chasing NANG AIKHAM and THAO PHADAENG
I’ll take revenge for my son’s death! You can’t escape, murderer! You can’t escape!
Suttho Naga slithered after Nang Aikham, rumbling through the earth’s crust, creating canals and tributaries.
Today is your death! Die! Die! Murderer!
Phadaeng! He is closing in!
Hold on tight! We’ll make it! Don’t worry! I’ll protect you!
Suttho Naga caught up with Phadaeng and Nang Ai and tried to pull her off the horse, but Phadaeng quickly came to protect her.
Your things are too heavy! Throw them away!
NANG AIKHAM throws the drum down.
It’s still heavy! Please throw another away!
NANG AIKHAM throws the khong down.
I think he wants your ring. Throw it to him!
NANG AIKHAM throws the ring to SUTTHO NAGA, but SUTTHO NAGA still chases after them. They fight. THAO PHADAENG’S sword falls from his hand. THAO PHADENG falls. Suttho Naga grabbed hold of NANG AIKHAM and pulls her down.
Phadaeng! Argh!
Grab my hand!
Thao Phadaeng tried to pull Nang Ai from Suttho Naga, but Suttho Naga was stronger and Phadaeng couldn’t save Nang Ai. Suttho Naga took Nang Ai down to Muang Badan.
Exit ALL
Act VII, Scene I. The Royal Court of Muang Phaphong
Enter THAO PHADAENG.
Injured and wearied, Thao Phadaeng retreated to Muang Phaphong and became depressed for the loss of Nang Ai. He wished to die in order to be reunited with his love.
He stopped breathing and was reborn as a ghost leader. He went down to Badan and took his ghost army with him to fight Suttho Naga.
Exit THAO PHADAENG.
Act VIII, Scene I. The Royal Court of Muang Badan
Suttho! I came to take Nang Ai back with me. Today is your death!
Young one! You know me very little! You are dead and be prepared to die again.
Thao Phadaeng’s ghost army charged at Suttho Naga’s army. Their war caused great distress to the human world and sea world.
Phra In, King of the Gods, Lord of Weather and War watched all this and was disturbed by this unnecessary bloodshed. He descended down to earth and summoned the two leaders to come before him.
Enter PHRA IN.
Stop! Stop all this killings! You have been behaving like little boys. Look! Look at what you have done to this beautiful place!
Thao Phadaeng and his ghost army and Suttho Naga and his army stopped and knelt down before Phra In.
Your war has caused nothing, but distress for others! Look at this! Crystal clear ponds, lakes, rivers and canals have become swamps. Lands are no longer fertile. You have contaminated them with salt water.
He is the cause of all this!
No! He took my love to Badan! It’s he who causes all this!
Stop! Stop this war, I say! As your punishment, you Suttho Naga, you must continue to rule Badan as before and shall never surface to earth again. As for you Phadaeng you must take your army and return to Muang Phi. Only your karma will be the judge of your fate. If you are truly meant for each other, you and Nang Ai will unite one day.
Thank you my Lord!
Act IX, Scene I. A Legend is Born
Enter NARRATOR.
Those who ate the white squirrel’s meat perished in the great war. Their houses sank into the abyss. Land collapsed and became known as Nong Han.
The widows who did not eat the squirrel’s meat were spared. Their houses and land were left untouched in a small little island, known today as Dong Hang Mai or the Widow’s Island.
The drum that Nang Ai threw down became Huai Nam Khong.
The khong she threw down became Huai Nam Khong.
Lastly, the ring that she threw to Suttho Naga became Nong Waen.
As for Nang Aikham, she remains in Muang Badan waiting for Phra Si-An to come down and decide who should be her rightful husband, Thao Phadaeng or Thao Phangkhi.