Mask of the Phi Ta Khon festival
The masks consist of a large head piece made from the woven cone used to steam sticky rice. The face is carved from wood or banana trunks. The clothing was traditionally sewn from rags of old cloth, but nowadays is usually a kind of jumpsuit patched from several colorful fabrics. Some of the masked men will carry a carved wooden ax with a handle carved to look like a phallus, or sometimes just a big wooden phallic charm called a Bhalad Khik.
The picture was taken at the Phit Ta Khon museum in Dan Sai after the festival was celebrated.
Ralf Melchert 26/05/2020 10:00
!!!