Kuman thong

[peacock]

Kuman Tong (Thai: กุมารทอง) is an effigy, or statue or amulet which is revered in Thailand by Animists and Buddhists. The statue is believed to bring luck and fortune to the owner, if properly revered. Kuman, or Kumara (Pali) means "young boy" (young girl would be "Kumaree"), Tong means golden. Kuman Tong (alternatively spelled as Kumarn,or Kuman), is not a Buddhist practice, rather pure "Saiyasart" (Occultism, in this case, Necromancy).

Some Kuman effigies will be soaked in Nam Man Prai, which has extract of a dead child or a person who died in violent circumstances or an unnatural death. This is much less common now, because this practice is now illegal if using fat from human babies for the consecrating oil. Some years ago a famous monk was thrown out of the Buddhist Sangha for roasting a baby. He was convicted. This is strongly discouraged.

Nowadays, the material used in the making of Kuman thong usually include special herbs or plants extracts, cemetery soil, temple soil and other ingredients.

The main intention of having a Kuman thong is to perform good deeds so that the deceased can have a better rebirth, and while doing so, you accumulate merits and the deceased shall assist you in better wealth and luck.

Kuman thong is nothing to be scared about, as they are spirits waiting to be reborn but got stuck in the realm where they cannot be reborn. They are like children, love toys, love sweets, love to play. Treat them like your children, they will reward you handsomely. Take it also as a way to accumulate merit as having one keeps you focused in accumulate merits through doing good deeds, these merits are for you and the kuman thong.