Singing at an Akha New Rice Festival (cehr shuiv dzaq)
Akha women wearing Lomi Akha dress singing a song at a New Rice Festival in Northern Thailand.
Many Akha celebrations follow agricultural calendars, and the new rice festival is no exception. A large feast is prepared and neighboring villages are invited to come and join in the festivities. Songs, dances, speeches, eating and drinking are the primary activities, but the inspiration for the celebration is thanksgiving for the harvest.
This event takes place between late October and early December after the villages harvest their rice.
