Young become Buddhist novices to bring honour to their families in Thailand
Young become Buddhist novices to bring honour to their families in Thailand
Holding golden umbrellas wrapped in flowers, young boys ride on their fathers' shoulders in a remote, mountainous province in northern Thailand, Mae Hong Son. This festival is for the boys to ordain Buddhist novices.
Clad in neon pink and green, nearly 50 boys are seen moving in a rite of passage with the beat of drums and gongs in the background.
This is a three-day ceremony in Thailand. In this three days, they wear pink, blue, yellow and purple tassels. They also put heavy eyeliner and pink lips colour. Mostly boys aged between 7-14.
After the ceremony is completed boys head's shaved. He cannot even move freely. He is accompanied by family member even if he goes to the bathroom. The only places he may stand is bedding area.