Bem Leads Baan Tahsang Elementary School Students |
One of our favorite end of the year events here in Isaan is the Elementary School Field Day. Actually the athletic competition between schools is elementary and secondary schools within the various sub-districts.
Tahasang Village is part of Tambon Nongwha (Nongwha Sub-district). There are seven elementary schools within Tambon Nongwha. Each year, typically at the end of December, the seven schools will gather on a rotating basis at one of the schools for a sports day. This year, the Field Day was held on 10 January in conjunction with Thailand's Children's Day on 11 January 2014.
The Elementary School Field Day commences with a parade of the participating schools along the public road to the site where the competition is being held. This is not a parade of the athletes like during the Olympics. It is a parade of the student body from each of the schools. The schools are very small so everyone gets to participate in the procession. Tahsang Village Elementary School has 45 students which is about the size of the other schools.
The contingent from each school is lead by a drum majorette a couple of standard bearers, a student carrying a picture of the King, and the school band, a group of girls all dressed and made up in fancy party outfits with the student body dressed in their school uniforms marching in formation behind them.
Tahsang Village Student Body |
After the completion of the speeches, the hosting school performs a routine. Last year, Tahsang Village as the hosting school performed a choreographed Muay Thai exposition. This year, in consideration and anticipation of the upcoming creation of the ASEAN community in 2015, the hosting school performed ethnic dances to music unique to representative countries of the ASEAN association.
The next event was the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. I know that only the "real" Olympics can have an Olympic torch, Olympic cauldron, or even refer to competition as "Olympics". I know that they have taken legal steps to stop others from "infringing" upon their "brand". However, this is Thailand, more specifically Isaan, where life is more simple and there are far less concerns about 3 to 14 year olds infringing upon a staid organization like the International Olympic Committee.
At this Olympics, there were no concerns or restriction regarding sexual orientation. Some of the girls wearing fancy dresses, and highly made up were actually boys. No one cared and people focused on supporting their school and ensuring that they had a good time.
The cauldron at these Olympics was not fueled by high pressure natural gas. Our cauldron was actually a rather heavy large metal bowl placed on top of some scaffolding. The bowl was filled with locally produced charcoal. A runner ran around the sporting field with an Olympic torch, climbed the scaffolding and set the charcoal on fire. After a short time, the flames died down and the Olympic flame was more an Olympic smoldering for the remainder of the day.
Once the cauldron was ignited three fireworks were shot high into the air to signify the start of the games.
Each school had their own separate grandstand for students, teachers, and family members. The grandstands were highly decorated and in individual color schemes. Family members set up sahts on the ground beneath the grandstand - an area protected from the overhead sun, a great place to eat, drink and rest.
Tahsang Student Prepared for Relay Race |
She's Off! |
The children enjoy themselves competing to the best of their ability - no fancy clothes - no fancy running shoes - just bare feet. Pure racing for the fun of it all.
Tahsang Village Passing the Baton |
Bem Runs the Anchor Leg for Tahsang Village |
Along the perimeter of the competition field, vendors had set up stalls, booths, and motorbike sidecars from which they sold drinks, food, and ice cream, Smoke rose and filled the air from charcoal fires where chicken feet, pork, sausages, and other items were being grilled. It was a grand party.
At other booths, students could throw darts at balloons for prizes or use air rifles to shoot at prizes. Further out, children were bouncing up and down as well as between trampolines. There was even a small merry go round with suspended seats for children to sit in.
Children Putting On A Show. Duang Is Giving Them Money - Just Like At Adult Shows |
Audience Members Dancing and Singing |
Mother and Daughter Enjoying Themselves |
Bem Sends the Luuk Takraw Towards the Net |
We left around 3:30 PM., tired but not as tired as some at the event. One of the Tahsang Village students had fallen asleep back at the grandstand - sound asleep in the comfort of his teacher's lap and arms.