Monk novices transform into extravagant princes in initiation ceremony

Amongst the Shan people, who live across southeast Asia in northern Thailand and Myanmar, boys between seven and 14 are annually initiated into their local temples during an elaborate three day ceremony.

The young boys don vibrant costumes symbolising Gautama Buddha’s days as a prince, before he gave up worldly pleasures, and ride on the shoulders of their male relatives for the three day ceremony.

Nomadic photographer Claudio Sieber travelled to the Mae Hong Son province, Thailand to witness the spectacular initiation.

He said: “The Shan - also known as Thai Yai in Thailand - welcome everyone to experience this moment with them. As the only foreigner showing interest, I was even invited to eat with them and dance to the rhythm of the drums.

“Poy Sang Long is the kickoff for several boys between seven and fourteen to participate in the monastery life for a period of time.

“The atmosphere is very mysterious since there’s a lot of tradition involved.

“It was captivating to see the change from a normal boy into a girlish looking prince.”

Initiation takes place every April and the boys begin the long ceremony with prayer rituals for guidance and blessings. Afterwards they are announced to the guardian spirit of the town during a tour of the town’s temples.

On the second day the town embarks on a spectacular musical parade and the boys sit comfortably on their father’s shoulders - their feet must not touch the ground unless in bed or in the temple - while offerings to the spirits are carried alongside them.

Leading into the second night the boys return to their neighbourhood for a party with their family and friends, before returning for the ordination ceremony at the temple the next morning.

Sieber added: “People are just everywhere dancing to drum rhythms, some are sweating because the kid is just too heavy. It’s one of the most important days in the life of the boys.

“Everyone is in a good mood and proud of the moment and the kids' start down the spiritual path.”

Before dressing up in their lavish princely costumes the boys’ heads and eyebrows are shaved clean and to finish the ceremony they exchange their vivid outfits for the traditional saffron robes of a Buddhist novice.

After the initiation the boys will remain in the monastery for different lengths of time, some will remain to train as lifelong monks and many others will return home after they have dedicated some time to learning the details of Buddhist traditions.

Despite the welcoming nature of the locals and beautiful spectacular, Sieber found that few other foreigners were interested in witnessing the extravagant affair.

He said: “What bothered me most is the fact that the majority of all the tourists and backpackers didn’t pay attention at all.

“Neither were they interested in understanding the beautiful story behind the festival, nor did they participate in any way.

“It happens too often - people travel with closed eyes and show no interest in foreign traditions.”