Xiang Fong from Ban Phuttabattai, Ta Xaeng (sub-district) of Vat That, Luang Prabang province
Subject matter:
Folktale
Copyist:
Chan (ex-monk) Bunma from Mueang Xuen village
Copying date in native date:
BE 2509, a hwai sagna year
Copying date in Gregorian:
1966
Place of copying:
Luang Prabang
Script:
Tham Lao
Writing support:
Palm-leaf
Watermark?:
No
Countermark?:
No
Manuscript cover?:
Yes
Binding?:
No
Manuscript cover dimension:
54.9 x 5.5 cm
Manuscript paper dimension:
54.9 x 5.5 cm
Text block dimension:
50.6 x 3.7 cm
Number of pages:
28 pages
Number of blank pages:
1 page
Rubrication?:
No
Illumination?:
No
Illustration?:
No
Manuscript condition:
Good
Description of manuscript content:
The content tells the story of requited love between Nang Uakhiam and her love Khunthong (or Khunlu), which is a well-known folktale in Southeast Asia. That is Ms. Uakhiam was disappointed with her love. Because her love was confronted with an obstacle of the love wall. She was hindered by her mother. Her mother wanted Uakhiam to marry Khunlang, a ruler of another city, who also loved Uakhiam. But Uakhiam did not love Khunlang. She loved only Khunlu. The way out was that she broke the tradition. She decided to commit suicide. She chose to execute by hanging under a tree. Before hanging, she wished to meet her love in the sky. After death, three of them including Uakhiam, Khunthong and Uakhiam’s mother are the stars in the sky. The stars are in a line with the mother’s star in the middle. This means Uakhiam’s wish to meet her love is still hindered by her mother.