Akha Swinging Traditional

Date: August - September

Location: Doi Mae Salong, Chiang Rai

Activities: Akha swing, celebrating, dancing and cultural performances.

Program:

The tradition is held for 4 days on the purpose of celebrating the crops that have been planted and waited to be harvested. It is also a ceremony to honour women. The celebration starts with the ritual’s late ancestors. The second day is the day that they set up the giant swing, believed to be protected by guardian spirits and this is the start of the swinging ceremony. The third day is the grand ceremony, the start of the New Year in which the worshipping ceremony takes place and followed by celebrating, dancing and cultural performances. The last day is the end, there is no ceremony, only the swinging amongst the hilltribe people. Visitors are also welcome to join. During this period, the hilltribe people are dressed in their traditional costumes.