ABSTRACT

To students of Indian Culture interested in tracing the influence of India in the institutions of her Cultural Colonies, as also to Anthropologists, the Religious Festivals and Court Ceremonies, which still remain the most characteristic features of Siamese social life, offer an important field for research. Yet the subject has been little touched by scholars. Therefore a pioneer work of this nature can only be regarded as an attempt to lay a foundation for further studies, and the author hopes that other students—particularly those Siamese possessed of an extensive knowledge of their own literature and customs—may be encouraged to endeavour to fill those gaps which remain in our knowledge of most of the Siamese State Ceremonies.  First Published in 1995. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

part I|1 pages

Introductory

chapter Chapter I|11 pages

Scope and Sources

chapter Chapter II|9 pages

An Outline of the History of Siamese Culture

chapter Chapter III|5 pages

Social Organization of the Siamese

part II|1 pages

The Chief Factors in Siamese State Ceremonial

chapter Chapter IV|25 pages

The Kingship

chapter Chapter V|11 pages

The Court Brahmans 1

part III|2 pages

Ceremonies of Installation

chapter Chapter VI|25 pages

Coronation 1

The Main Ceremonies

chapter Chapter VII|24 pages

Coronation (continued)

The Regalia and the State Progresses

chapter Chapter VIII|5 pages

Coronation (continued)

Installation of the Queen and Assumption of the Royal Residence

chapter Chapter IX|5 pages

Higher Grades in Royal Consecration

chapter Chapter X|11 pages

The Tonsure Ceremony

chapter Chapter XI|18 pages

Cremation 1

The Ceremonies

chapter Chapter XII|14 pages

Cremation (continued)

History and function

chapter Chapter XIII|6 pages

The Worship of Dead Kings

part IV|1 pages

Ceremonies Closely Connected with the Kingship

chapter Chapter XIV|16 pages

Royal Audiences 1

chapter Chapter XV|6 pages

The Oath of Allegiance

chapter Chapter XVI|14 pages

The Royal Bounty

chapter Chapter XVII|5 pages

Royal Anniversaries

part V|1 pages

Ceremonies Relating to Agriculture

chapter Chapter XVIII|7 pages

Ceremonies for the Control of Wind and Rain

chapter Chapter XIX|10 pages

Festivals of First Fruits

chapter Chapter XX|18 pages

The Swinging Festival 1

chapter Chapter XXI|9 pages

The First Ploughing 1

chapter Chapter XXII|6 pages

Temporary Kings

part VI|1 pages

Miscellaneous State Ceremonies

chapter Chapter XXIII|15 pages

The White Elephant

chapter Chapter XXIV|7 pages

Feasts of Lamps

chapter Chapter XXV|5 pages

Minor Brahmanical Ceremonies

chapter Chapter XXVI|8 pages

The Propitiation of Spirits

chapter Chapter XXVII|5 pages

The Expulsion Of Evil

part |1 pages

General Conclusions

chapter Chapter XXVIII|4 pages

General Conclusions