74 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
Khru Mo Nora
Khru Mo Nora is the spirit of former Nora masters or the ancestor of Nora, sometimes called Khru
Mo Ta Yai, respected by the local people and regarded as a spiritual anchor when facing difficulties. If the
local people have fallen ill without causes, Khru Mo Nora will be invited to find the treatment. At the same
time, Khru Mo Nora is a local wisdom in a way of contributing to the harmony of the community and being
a subtle mechanism to control community members’ behaviors to behave in virtue. If they misbehave, Khru
Mo Nora can punish them.
Nora for Entertainment
Nora for entertainment normally has a standard sequence of performances, starting with the release of
Nang Ram to dance (two to five performers.) with Kiao Man or Khap Na Man, in which the performers sing the
verses from behind the curtain, invisible to the audience. It is followed by skillful dances which the performers
come out to show off their dancing skills and special talents making the script. The performers express more
verses to present the poetic ability and dance again before exits. Next, it is time for Ok Phran (“Entrance of
the Hunter”) or the presence of the comedian, an important character that adds humors to the show. The
performance ends with Ok Tua Nai Rong (“Entrance of the Principal Performer/Character” ) or Nora Yai, who
will show off his expertise and talents in dancing, singing, and improvising verses as cherishing his position as
the principal performer. In case of a competition, Nai Rong will perform the rites of Khian Phrai (“Flogging the
Sprites”) and Yiap Luk Nao (“Stepping on Lime Fruits”) as a spell on the rivals and boost the troupe’s morale,
followed by Ok Phran again to tell the audience the next story before starting the performance.