A dance from southern Thailand inscribed on the Unesco heritage list

Unesco officially inscribed the Nora dance on the list of Thailand's "intangible cultural heritage" on Wednesday 15 December.

Dancers move gracefully in a circle, their beaded robes swaying in bird-like poses, in a dance drama known as "Nora" - a southern Thai art form that was added to UNESCO's prestigious heritage list on Wednesday.

This dramatic art form, which combines dance, song and storytelling, has its roots in India and has been practised for centuries in the southernmost provinces of Thailand, which has a Muslim majority.

The performances usually consist of a dramatic telling of the story of a local prince who tries to save Manora, a half-human, half-bird princess, whose short name gives the art its name.

The highly elaborate shows can last up to three days.

On Wednesday, Unesco officially listed the Nora dance as one of Thailand's "intangible cultural heritage", which could bring greater global recognition to a dance usually seen only in small village gatherings in the south of the kingdom.

On Saturday, in the Sungai Padi district of Narathiwat province, not far from the Malaysian border, young dancers carefully put on their costumes, with rows of beads strung together in a kaleidoscopic display of colour and pattern.

The backs of their dresses rose upwards, imitating the tail of a bird.

"Nora is important to the people of the South for two reasons: first, it is entertainment...the dance conveys messages that teach people to do good to have good karma," said Vichien Rattanaboono, chairman of the provincial dance group.

"And secondly, it is about ceremonies and beliefs.

The Manora will be performed in ceremonies to show our respect for our teachers and parents.

This is to show our gratitude," he said.

While a small orchestra played drums and pi nai (an oboe-like instrument) the five dancers spun around, their expressive finger movements accentuated by the tips of their fake silver nails.

A tradition put on hold by the pandemic

Nora dancers. Photo: Thummanit Nikomrat - FB

Restrictions imposed by Covid-19 over the past 20 months have led to a decrease in the number of public performances, with large gatherings in hot spots being banned.

"After Covid came out, there were no shows... it prevented us from having concerts," said Nitichaya Sooksan, 18, adding that Saturday was their first performance since the pandemic began.

This high school student has been performing for almost seven years, after starting to do so with friends.

Saman Dosormi, a long-time Nora performer who is also a performing arts graduate student in neighbouring Yala province, said the dance showcases the "common culture" of the southern provinces, which is made up of Buddhist Thais and Malay Muslims.

"It doesn't matter if you are a Buddhist, Muslim or Christian, anyone can do this dance," he told AFP.

"I am very happy that Nora has been inscribed in Unesco.

I would like to see all Thai cultural arts recognised around the world," he said.

Source: Bangkok Post