The Laanta Lanta Festival is held annually on Koh Lanta Yai during the month of March. The event celebrates the eclectic mix of cultures and traditions found across the island. In a world where so many nations are divided by religious and cultural differences, it is inspiring to behold this crucible of cultures, where people can reside together in peace and harmony.
The Koh Lanta archipelago is made up of more than fifty small islets, most of which are uninhabited; Koh Lanta Yai is the most popular with tourists and also has the largest population. The island’s topography consists mainly of abundant forest land, mountainous terrain, pristine beaches and plentiful marine resources. Koh Lanta’s original name was ‘Palau Satak’ which means ‘long beach island’ in Malay. In 1917 it was officially changed to Koh Lanta - thought to come from the Javanese word for ‘fish grill’.
Lanta Old Town, located on the South Eastern coast, is worth visiting at any time of year. Once a major sea port and the commercial centre for the island, it provided a safe harbour for Arabic and Chinese trading vessels sailing between Phuket, Penang and Singapore. The town’s status changed fifty years ago with the advent of roads and automobiles, which linked the island with the mainland - now tourism and fishing are the main source of income for the locals. Despite the growing tourist industry, Lanta Old Town retains its quaint charm. Sino-style wooden shop fronts and stilted houses are evidence of a rich history as well as the diverse mix of cultures residing in the area.
The Old Town is home to three main ethnic groups: Chao Ley (Sea Gypsies), Thai-Muslim and Thai-Chinese. The Chao Ley preceded the Malay (Muslim) immigrants while the Chinese merchants arrived more than 100 years ago.
The Chao Ley have occupied the area for over 500 years, settling along the coast in houses built upon stilts. They are unique in that they speak their own language, have animist beliefs and retain close ties with the sea. Thai-Muslims make up the majority of the population and the Thai Chinese settlers have assimilated into local community working as business owners, agricultural farmers and fishermen. There is no religious tension between these groups and they have lived together in peace and harmony for hundreds of years. The ethnic diversity is reflected in the old Sino-style houses, mosques, Buddhist temples and traditional Thai housing styles, all on one island.
The Laanta Lanta Festival is held each year as a celebration of this unique community spirit, locals and visitors congregated to enjoy an array of cultural facets still prevalent on the island today. Festivities commenced on March 7 - lasting three days and nights - featuring music, dance, cultural performances and markets. Glowing red Chinese lanterns illuminated the streets while the aroma of incense and spice filled the night air. Vendors lined the town’s streets, as locals and tourists browsed the waterside stalls admiring the old wooden Chinese shop-fronts. Craftsmen and artists from the surrounding area exhibited a variety of goods, including leather, jewellery, batik and a miscellany of souvenirs.
The Old Town’s melting pot of cultures is well represented in the local cuisine. Aromatic flavours, originating from India, Malaysia and China are infused in a variety of dishes such as Chinese noodles in fish curry (Kanom Jeen) and Malaysian style chicken in yellow rice with roasted spice (Khao Mok Gai).
The vibrancy and freshness of the ingredients alone is enough to whet your appetite. Bright yellow juicy corns, freshly caught fish and exotic juices served in bamboo beakers tempted the taste buds of passing shoppers.
The main stage stood brightly illuminated at the water’s edge while smaller cultural displays of music and dance taking place close to the Old Town Museum. The first act to take to the main stage was Assalee Mala, a band well known throughout Thailand for it’s traditional Thai Rong Ngeng folk music. Rong Ngeng is a style of folk music and dance incorporating western style dance steps while music is played on violins, Arabian drums and Chinese gongs accompanied by Malaysian lyrics.
‘Rong Ngeng’ has been popular on Koh Lanta for over a century and is often played at weddings, festivals and by sea gypsies. There have been many recent attempts to keep the music alive, particularly in Koh Lanta and other Southern areas of Thailand. The band’s violinist known as “Mac”, explained: “We enjoy playing all over Thailand but we love playing in Koh Lanta and close to the Malaysian border. The music originates from here so there is a great atmosphere among the crowd.” Mac also alluded to what makes the Laanta Lanta Festival special: “The amazing mix of culture and traditions makes it an exciting experience. You can try so many different styles of food and hear a variety of music. It is fun for everyone involved. Tourists can learn a lot about the interesting history of this island and take home some great memories,” he said
The festival was an impressive and enjoyable showcase of the cultural diversity of Koh Lanta. Most importantly, it is a positive example to the world how people of different ethnic groups can live together peacefully and respectfully.
The Koh Lanta archipelago is made up of more than fifty small islets, most of which are uninhabited; Koh Lanta Yai is the most popular with tourists and also has the largest population. The island’s topography consists mainly of abundant forest land, mountainous terrain, pristine beaches and plentiful marine resources. Koh Lanta’s original name was ‘Palau Satak’ which means ‘long beach island’ in Malay. In 1917 it was officially changed to Koh Lanta - thought to come from the Javanese word for ‘fish grill’.
Lanta Old Town, located on the South Eastern coast, is worth visiting at any time of year. Once a major sea port and the commercial centre for the island, it provided a safe harbour for Arabic and Chinese trading vessels sailing between Phuket, Penang and Singapore. The town’s status changed fifty years ago with the advent of roads and automobiles, which linked the island with the mainland - now tourism and fishing are the main source of income for the locals. Despite the growing tourist industry, Lanta Old Town retains its quaint charm. Sino-style wooden shop fronts and stilted houses are evidence of a rich history as well as the diverse mix of cultures residing in the area.
The Old Town is home to three main ethnic groups: Chao Ley (Sea Gypsies), Thai-Muslim and Thai-Chinese. The Chao Ley preceded the Malay (Muslim) immigrants while the Chinese merchants arrived more than 100 years ago.
The Chao Ley have occupied the area for over 500 years, settling along the coast in houses built upon stilts. They are unique in that they speak their own language, have animist beliefs and retain close ties with the sea. Thai-Muslims make up the majority of the population and the Thai Chinese settlers have assimilated into local community working as business owners, agricultural farmers and fishermen. There is no religious tension between these groups and they have lived together in peace and harmony for hundreds of years. The ethnic diversity is reflected in the old Sino-style houses, mosques, Buddhist temples and traditional Thai housing styles, all on one island.
The Laanta Lanta Festival is held each year as a celebration of this unique community spirit, locals and visitors congregated to enjoy an array of cultural facets still prevalent on the island today. Festivities commenced on March 7 - lasting three days and nights - featuring music, dance, cultural performances and markets. Glowing red Chinese lanterns illuminated the streets while the aroma of incense and spice filled the night air. Vendors lined the town’s streets, as locals and tourists browsed the waterside stalls admiring the old wooden Chinese shop-fronts. Craftsmen and artists from the surrounding area exhibited a variety of goods, including leather, jewellery, batik and a miscellany of souvenirs.
The Old Town’s melting pot of cultures is well represented in the local cuisine. Aromatic flavours, originating from India, Malaysia and China are infused in a variety of dishes such as Chinese noodles in fish curry (Kanom Jeen) and Malaysian style chicken in yellow rice with roasted spice (Khao Mok Gai).
The vibrancy and freshness of the ingredients alone is enough to whet your appetite. Bright yellow juicy corns, freshly caught fish and exotic juices served in bamboo beakers tempted the taste buds of passing shoppers.
The main stage stood brightly illuminated at the water’s edge while smaller cultural displays of music and dance taking place close to the Old Town Museum. The first act to take to the main stage was Assalee Mala, a band well known throughout Thailand for it’s traditional Thai Rong Ngeng folk music. Rong Ngeng is a style of folk music and dance incorporating western style dance steps while music is played on violins, Arabian drums and Chinese gongs accompanied by Malaysian lyrics.
‘Rong Ngeng’ has been popular on Koh Lanta for over a century and is often played at weddings, festivals and by sea gypsies. There have been many recent attempts to keep the music alive, particularly in Koh Lanta and other Southern areas of Thailand. The band’s violinist known as “Mac”, explained: “We enjoy playing all over Thailand but we love playing in Koh Lanta and close to the Malaysian border. The music originates from here so there is a great atmosphere among the crowd.” Mac also alluded to what makes the Laanta Lanta Festival special: “The amazing mix of culture and traditions makes it an exciting experience. You can try so many different styles of food and hear a variety of music. It is fun for everyone involved. Tourists can learn a lot about the interesting history of this island and take home some great memories,” he said
The festival was an impressive and enjoyable showcase of the cultural diversity of Koh Lanta. Most importantly, it is a positive example to the world how people of different ethnic groups can live together peacefully and respectfully.
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