From Bamboo to Amazing Rockets
In the past, rockets were made of the largest bamboo
stem which were cut through. At the outside, bamboo strips were
woven as ropes tied tight around the bamboo beam to make it
firm. The last segment is filled with a considerable number of thick
wood, pressed it firmly with Mueu (gunpowder) by pounding or
using a lever. The making of rockets is by folk technologies that the
wisdom has been inherited and accumulated through generations
in addition to the rocket decoration which also requires artistic
competency.
There are four types of rockets: Bang Fai Thammada (ordinary),
using up to12 kilograms of saltpeter; Bang Fai Meun (ten thousand),
using about 12-119 kilograms of saltpeter; Bang Fai Saen (hundred
thousand), using 120 kilograms of saltpeter; and Bang Fai Lan
(million) using 1,200 kilograms of saltpeter.
When the rockets are finished, they are decorated with
beautiful colored paper, called in the folk language “Ae”. The
head and tail of the rockets will be composed in various shapes
as required, mostly in the shape of Naga head.“The Rocket Festival is
popularly organized in
the 6th or 7th month, which is
in the rainy season for rice
farming, seedling, planting
and ploughing. It is made to
worship the ‘Tan’ to beg for
rainfalls in the season, similar
to the parade of rainmaking
cats of the Central people.”
The Rocket Festival not only reflects the living philosophy of Isan
people, but it also demonstrates the wisdom that cleverly engages
people in the community by using the Rocket Festival as a channel.
When everyone is in solidarity, they can live happily together.