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What is Lanna?
The Lan Na or Lanna Kingdom was an Indianized state that existed between the 13th and 18th centuries in the area that is now northern Thailand. It also covered some parts of current Laos, Myanmar, and China.
Chiang Mai, built in 1296, was the capital city of the Lanna Kingdom. In the 16th century, the Burmese conquered the Lanna kingdom. Later, in 1774, with the help of Siam (now known as Thailand), the Burmese were defeated and driven out. In 1892, the Lanna Kingdom became a definite part of Siam. In 1932, the Chiang Mai area became a province of Siam. In 1949, Siam officially became known as Thailand.
Lanna Culture Today
Although the Lanna Kingdom suffered various invasions and annexations by foreign conquerors, its culture remains alive today. You’ll find a variety of influences from Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhism, Mon and Khmer culture, animism, Hindu religions, Burmese culture, Chinese culture, and certainly also influences from its Thai neighbour — the Sukhothai Kingdom, and later the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
Today, the Lanna region is part of the Kingdom of Thailand. Still, the former Lanna cities, such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, and others, are sought-after tourist destinations due to the beauty and splendour of Lanna culture, architecture, and arts.
Lanna Folk Healing
Thai Lanna healing arts, including Lanna Thai massage, are renowned for their rich herbal tradition and heritage and for their therapeutic benefits through various massage and bodywork forms.
You’ll still find so-called Mor Meuang or local Town Doctors and Healers in the local villages and towns. The local medicine of the Lanna region is recorded in texts and teachings in the Lanna language and, as said, is still much alive and in continuous development, notably because of modern developments and influences, like the Thai Massage revival and Thai Medicine revival projects, but also because of influences through healing disciplines from the West.
Another common way to look at the Lanna Healing Arts is as so-called Hill Tribe Medicine, where “hill tribe” is a common name for the many different ethnic and cultural groups in Northern Thailand, people who come originally from a broad range of regions and countries in Asia, such as Myanmar, Tibet, Nepal, Laos, and China.
One of the essential characteristics that distinguishes Lanna Thai healing and culture from mainstream Thai Medicine and culture is that the Lanna people and healing practitioners are more deeply rooted in the ancient belief in animism, foremost in the idea that spirits, mind, and energies reside in all things. These beliefs are evident in the Lanna Folk Healing Arts treatments, where the healing practitioner’s ceremonies and spiritual depth play a crucial role.
Member of
Thai Healing Alliance International
