With agriculture as its livelihood, Isaan (a region in Northeastern Thailand) is home to rich traditions associated with good weather and health. The rhythm of percussive instruments, such as the pong lang (a type of xylophone specific to the Isaan region) and drums, accompany the graceful steps of womenfolk in ritual dances praying for rain. Such music is performed on occasions like Boon Bangfai (Rocket Festival) or the period after Songkran (Thai New Year), and during the ceremony Bai Si Soo Khwan, which beckons the khwan (spirits) of sick people back to their bodies. • Highlights from this year’s A Tapestry of Sacred Music, which focuses on two of the oldest manifestations of faith through sound: The voice and the drum. • 📸: alvieisalive 🎥: Festive Isaan: Rituals of Northeast Thailand at Esplanade Concourse on 27 Mar, featuring Absolutely Thai by Kansadaeng Watthanatham. • #esplanadesg #mydurian #atapestryofsacredmusic