Elephant-Back Wedding Ceremony
Marriage Registration on Elephant Back: A Romantic Tradition of Isan
At the World of Elephants Project, Elephant Learning Center, Ban Tak Klang, Tha Tum District, Surin Province
Thailand is rich in diverse traditions and cultures. One of its most distinctive and charming ceremonies is the marriage registration on elephant back, held annually in Surin Province, especially around Valentines Day. This unique event celebrates love amidst local cultural traditions and the grace of Thai elephants.
History of the Ceremony
Surin Province has long been renowned for elephant husbandry, particularly in Tha Tum District, where the Kuy (or Kui) people have preserved traditional knowledge of capturing and raising elephants for generations. This local wisdom has evolved into a cultural highlight intertwined with love, giving rise to the elephant-back marriage registration ceremony, celebrated on a grand scale.
The Bride and Groom
Couples participate in the Sattee Ceremony, a traditional wedding ritual of the Kui, Kuy, Suay, or Yer communities.
The term Sattee comes from the Suay language, meaning arm binding. In the local Khmer dialect of Surin, it may also be called Haw Plueng Chong Dai, where Haw Plueng refers to calling the spirit, and Chong Dai means tying the arms or wrists together.
According to Isan tradition, both in northern and southern Isan, the Bai Sri Su Kwan ceremony expresses joy and blessings for the couple, wishing them happiness, health, and longevity.
Bai Sri Su Kwan Ceremony (Soul-Calling Ritual)
The ceremony is conducted by a shaman or Brahmin to bestow good fortune and blessings. The prayers are recited in the local language, which in southern Isan provinces is often Khmer. After the chanting, the Brahmin and elders tie threads around the wrists as a symbol of receiving the spirit or blessing. The ceremony is then followed by a feast for the elephants, further enhancing the auspiciousness of the event.
Bai Sri Su Kwan Ceremony
(Soul-Calling or Blessing Ritual)
Elephant Feeding Ceremony
Ceremony and Atmosphere
Couples participating in the ceremony wear traditional or modernized Thai attire and ride atop beautifully decorated elephants. The procession moves forward amid traditional music and cultural performances. The official marriage registration is then conducted by district officials on the elephants back, witnessed by attendees and tourists, creating a truly unique and festive atmosphere.
Meaning and Symbolism
The elephant-back marriage registration is more than a simple legal procedure; it is rich in meaning and symbolism. In Thai culture, elephants are auspicious animals, representing stability, strength, and longevity. By beginning their married life through this beautiful and unique ceremony, couples receive a symbolic blessing for their love to endure and remain steadfast throughout their lives.
The elephant-back wedding ceremony promotes cultural tourism among the Khmer, Lao, and Kuy ethnic groups in Surin Province. The tradition of marriage is used as a medium to highlight the Kui communitys heritage through the Sattee Ceremony.
Elephants from the World of Elephants Project play a central role, symbolizing love and grandeur, as couples are paraded in a wedding procession. The marriage registration is officially conducted on the elephants back by the Tha Tum District Registrar, the Surin Provincial Administrative Organization president, and the ceremony chairperson.
Since elephants are majestic animals with long lifespans, they are considered auspicious symbols for the beginning of married life. The ceremony is designed to create lasting memories and a deep emotional connection for the bride and groom, leaving an impression that endures forever.
Surin City Hotel, Surin Resort
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