A half century among the Siamese and the Lao : an ... - Khamkoo

PIONEER WORK 85
less brilliantly carried out a few days after his return.
The name, Dam Hiia, means " bathing the head " or
" head-bath," and it is really a ceremonial bathing or
baptism of the Prince's head with water poured upon
it, first by princes and oflficials in the order of their
rank, and so on down to his humblest subjects.
The first and more exclusive part of the ceremony
took place in the palace, where I also was privileged
to offer my New Year's greetings with the rest. The
great reception-hall was crowded with the Prince's
family and with officials of all degrees. The air was
heavy with the fragrance of flowers which loaded every
table and stand.
All were in readiness with their silver
vessels filled with water, awaiting His Highness' appearance.
At length an officer with a long silverhandled
spear announced his coming. The whole company
received him with lowest prostration after the
old-time fashion. Seeing me standing, he sent for a
chair, saying that the ceremony was long, and I
would be tired. The Court Orator, or Scribe, then
read a long address of welcome to the Prince on his
return from his brilliant expedition, with high-sounding
compliments on its success. Then there was a long
invocation of all the powers above or beneath, real or
imaginary, not to molest, but instead to protect, guide,
and bless His Highness' person, kingdom, and people,
with corresponding curses invoked on all his enemies
and theirs. Then came the ceremonial bath, administered
first by his own family, his relatives, and high
officials—he standing while vase after vase of water
was poured on his head, drenching him completely
and flooding all the floor. It is a ceremony not at all
unpleasant in a hot climate, however unendurable it
might be in colder regions.