A video showing rows of women washing their hair in unison by a stream has gone viral, intriguing viewers with its striking visuals and cultural significance.
The footage was recorded at the Then Kin Pang Festival in Khong Lao Commune in 2025 by Nong Van Thuan, who recently shared it online ahead of this year’s event, scheduled for April 25 and April 26.
The annual festival draws large numbers of locals and visitors, combining spiritual meaning with cultural promotion, including traditional cuisine and performances of the Thai ethnic group.
A key highlight is the hair washing ritual, which symbolises cleansing misfortune and praying for health and peace. The ceremony recreates aspects of traditional river based daily life.
According to Thuan, participation varies each year from 100 to 300 people. In 2025, around 100 women took part, selected for their long hair and traditional appearance.
In the video, the women, dressed in traditional attire, stand in lines along the stream, each carrying a basin of herbal water and performing rituals guided by a shaman.
After the ceremonial phase, they bend forward to immerse their hair in the water and, at the sound of gongs and drums, simultaneously toss their hair back, creating a synchronised and visually striking display.
“In the past, this was a daily activity, with villagers gathering at the stream to wash. Today, it is recreated as a ritual performance to preserve and promote cultural heritage,” Thuan said.
The hair-washing performance is a distinctive cultural feature at the Then Kin Pang Festival (Photo: Laichaugov).
In addition to the hair washing performance, a water splashing activity at Nam Lum Stream is another anticipated highlight, expected to take place at 10.30 am on April 26.
The festival also features a range of traditional activities, including folk sports such as crossbow shooting, stick pushing, con throwing and stilt walking, as well as bamboo raft rowing, stream swimming, Thai costume showcases, culinary competitions and cultural exchanges.
