Menora or Manora (มโนราห์, pronounced[mā.nōː.rāː]), sometimes shortened as Nora (โนรา, pronounced[nōː.rāː]) is traditional Siamese theatrical, musical, and acrobatic dance performance originated from the southern regions of Thailand.[1] Having similar plots adopted from Jataka tales of Manohara, this kind of performance is related to the Lakhon chatri (ละครชาตรี), another Siamese arts performance originating from central Thailand. Over five hundred years old, Nora is performed in Thailand's local community centres and at temple fairs and cultural events, and is passed on through training by masters in homes, community organizations and educational institutions.[1] In Malaysia, the practice of Menora has significantly declined since it has been banned by the government of Kelantan, which considers this kind of cultural performance as haram (lit. ‘forbidden’)[2] for being involved with polytheism.[3]
In 2021, Nora was officially recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.[1]
Hemmet, Christine (1992). "Le Nora du sud de la Thaïlande: un culte aux ancêtres". Bulletin de l'École française d'Extrême-Orient. 79 (2): 261–282. doi:10.3406/befeo.1992.1881. JSTOR43731384.
Kershaw, Roger (1982). "A Little Drama of Ethnicity: Some Sociological Aspects of the Kelantan Manora". Southeast Asian Journal of Social Science. 10 (1): 69–95. doi:10.1163/156853182X00056. JSTOR24490909.
"CORRIGENDA: A Little Drama of Ethnicity: Some Sociological Aspects of the Kelantan Manora". Southeast Asian Journal of Social Science. 10 (2): 118. 1982. doi:10.1163/156853182X00191. JSTOR24490818.
Plowright, Poh Sim (November 1998). "The Art of Manora: an Ancient Tale of Feminine Power Preserved in South-East Asian Theatre". New Theatre Quarterly. 14 (56): 373–394. doi:10.1017/S0266464X00012458. S2CID193245274.
Sheppard, Mubin (1973). "MANORA in KELANTAN". Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 46 (1 (223)): 160–170. JSTOR41492072.
Simmonds, E. H. S. (1967). "'Mahōrasop' in a Thai Manōrā Manuscript". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. 30 (2): 391–403. doi:10.1017/S0041977X00062297. JSTOR611002. S2CID177913499.
Simmonds, E. H. S. (1971). "'Mahōrasop' II: The Thai National Library Manuscript". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. 34 (1): 119–131. doi:10.1017/S0041977X00141618. JSTOR614627. S2CID162819400.
Sooi-Beng, Tan (1988). "The Thai 'Menora' in Malaysia: Adapting to the Penang Chinese Community". Asian Folklore Studies. 47 (1): 19–34. doi:10.2307/1178249. JSTOR1178249.