CHAIYAPHUM: On Tuesday, during a superb and one-of-a-kind ordination rally through Ban Non Salao in the Phu Khieo district, eight men entering the monastic life were constantly thrown into the air.
The eight men who were being ordained, known as nagas, had religious ceremonies at a village monument that provincial governor Sopon Suwanrat presided over in the morning.
The festival of the eight nagas, each of whom was seated cross-legged on a wood bed carried by powerful men along the village’s important streets to Wat Takhaek, was the highlight of that day. The routes were lined with Thai and international tourists as well as local villagers.
A procession of family, friends, and coworkers of the soldiers entering the monkhood followed the rally, which was led by around 100 elegantly attired young ladies from the village.
The eight centaurs being paraded around the town were carried on wood beds and tossed up and down to rousing drum beats and northern music, which was the height of the excitement. Until the festival came to an end at the church where they were ordained, the centaurs were still being tossed.
Locals claimed that the nagas’ grueling flinging was a study of their fortitude and tenacity. They declared that the custom of tossing soldiers into the monkhood was particular to the region and vowed to uphold it with confidence.
Makhawan Wannakul( picture )
On Tuesday, a crowd gathers after the priesthood rally in Chaiyaphum’s Phu Khieo district. ( Image: Makkawan Wannakul )