Unique hair washing ritual of the Thai ethnic group

The sorcerer washes his hands with water before participating in the worship ceremony.

unique hair washing ritual of the thai ethnic group picture 2

He then offers incense to the ancestors, praying for good luck.

unique hair washing ritual of the thai ethnic group picture 3

The sorcerer also offers incense to earth, river and stream gods, praying for blessings for local villagers.

unique hair washing ritual of the thai ethnic group picture 4

The present-day hair washing ceremony is of profound humanity as it expresses people’s faith in gods, wishing for good things.

unique hair washing ritual of the thai ethnic group picture 5

Two or three weeks before the ceremony, Thai women prepare their special shampoo by washing sticky rice and keeping the rice water in an earthen pot for at least one week until it turns sour. Sour rice water is believed to make the hair smooth and shiny.

unique hair washing ritual of the thai ethnic group picture 6

The shampoo for men is soap berry liquid made from soap berries burnt and then soaked in hot water.

unique hair washing ritual of the thai ethnic group picture 7

The ceremony is said to bring the family good luck if a young girl is selected to participate in it.

unique hair washing ritual of the thai ethnic group picture 8

Each villager participating in the festival prepares a bamboo tube containing sour rice water to wash their hair.

unique hair washing ritual of the thai ethnic group picture 9

The ritual is held by the village’s steam nearby.

unique hair washing ritual of the thai ethnic group picture 10

Thai people are supposed to wash their hair and have a bath on the last day of the year in the hope of getting rid of dust, misfortune and sadness of the old year.