King Kala Dance

In the 1980s Myanmar fell into military rule and the ethnic minorities including the Shans were persecuted. Thousands fled into Thailand.

Here they have started to revive some of their lost and forgotten traditions.

The Ram Nok is performed by a kinaree, a mythical creature which is half human and half bird. It is a dance unique to the Tai Yai people from Shan region.

The Ram Toe is a lion dance performed by Buddhist devotees using an antelope, goat or deer head.

The 2 dances are performed together in the King Kala Performance.

Traditionally, the King Kala is performed to mark the end of Buddhist holy month to welcome Lord Buddha back to earth after his visit to heaven.

Considered as stateless in Thailand, the Tai Yai have found renewed motivation to revive their culture in the King Kala Performance.

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