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The traditional ritual of the White Thai is held on the 10th day of the third lunar month, which falls on April 18 this year, aiming to ward off bad luck and pray for a happy year.
A procession takes place ahead of the ritual.
The sorcerer offers incense to the earth, river, and stream Genies, praying for blessings for local villagers.
Before setting foot in the stream, Thai girls are required to join in a ritual to show respect for the river and stream Genies.
The ritual is believed to bring good luck to a family if a young girl is selected to participate in it.
The highlight of the festival is when the girls step into the stream to wash their hair.
(Photo:VOV)
At first, strands of beautiful long black hair can be seen falling down. When signaled, all of the girls will flip their hair upward at the same time.
Local people see it as washing away the hardships and bad luck, sending away calamities and diseases along the river as they pray for good luck.
For Thai ethnic people, washing hair in the stream means seeing bad luck be washed away by the water currents.
The event highlights the beauty and elegance of the women in the Thai ethnic group.
Thai people believe that washing their hair in the local stream, the skin of these girls shines brighter than usual.
The ritual has been passed down through generations as part local traditional customs while promoting community engagement.
The ritual has been passed down through generations as part local traditional customs while promoting community engagement.

Unique hair washing ritual of white Thai ethnic group

(VOVWORLD) - To celebrate the annual Then Kin Pang festival, the traditional hair washing ritual -Ap Ho Pan— of the white Thai ethnic people in Phong Tho district, Lai Chau province has been recreated, exciting crowds of locals and tourists.

VOV