The Mud Men Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

In Laos and the ethnically Laotian parts of Thailand special festivals take place before the onset of the monsoon. These are ancient fertility rites that predate Buddhism and are to do with the worship of the spirits. In Dan Sai, in the mountains of Loei, on the border with Laos, they have a tradition of spirit dancing. The men wear special masques and are possessed by the spirits. For a night and a day they dance wildly through the streets of the village. As well are the Ghost Dancers they have a tradition of mud men dancers. The men cover themselves with mud and dance thought he town. The mud, a combination of water and the soil is a symbol of fertility. The monsoon rains are necessary for life here, in the past when the life-giving rains came the men would strip off and roll in the mud to celebrate the return of fertility. later the mud dances became part of the ritual that calls for the spirits to send the rains again.

dareco, ndb1958, skippy007, John_F_Kennedy, papagolf21, kiwi_explorer, RGatward, gracious, siolaw, riclopes, PixelTerror, axiotea, chirasak has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ndb1958 (9228) 2008-07-12 13:41

another great shot about the tradition around the monsoon rain. Vivid, full of life. I like your focus on this guy. Beautiful shot, interesting note. Thank you for sharing. nino.

dareco (17024) 2008-07-13 1:13

That is one dirty party :) Thanks for sharing this tradition with us, interesting! TFS and have a great day!

somkiat (1096) 2008-07-13 9:37

hallo kevin,
you took the special rite in thailand.it's resonable.this festival is famous.you took the special moment also.he has a good action.the fertility will come if it isn't ruined by flood,that you know it happens every years in thailand.yes,it'd be cared about the global warming.
perfect photo
somkiat

skippy007 (6799) 2008-07-14 18:16

Hi Kevin, Nice portrait of this guy partaking in this yearly ritual, The BG is clear enough for us to see that there are many others but not too clear to detract from the main subject. Good detail & colour, thanks for a informative & interesting note.
Take care
Santo

John_F_Kennedy (30629) 2008-07-15 4:08

Good captured daily life scene with an intersting note. Good sharpness and clarity.
Best wishes,
Achim

papagolf21 (55956) 2008-07-16 1:43

Bonjour, cher ami Kevin,
Certaines traditions perdurent véritables ou reconstituées ! peu importe, il ne faut pas oublier ces rites.
Une excellente photo entrant parfaitement dans le style de TE, apprendre par la photo.
Amitiés.
Philippe

kiwi_explorer (12195) 2008-07-16 4:45

Hi Kevin,
Interesting festival and well written description about the scene. I like the way you captured the expressions of the celebrants. Well captured and composed with good resulting image quality! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

wolf38 (12493) 2008-07-16 6:07

Hello Kevin. Again one of these archaic working and worth seeing pictures. A large contrast to the western world, which practices perfect hygiene and mode (style). Ideal and impressing picture for TE. Best regards, Wolfgang.

RGatward (19737) 2008-07-16 10:26

Another fine and informative TE porrait Kev. WHat camera are you using these days, you seem to have upped your tech quality recently.

gracious (20017) 2008-07-16 11:15

Hello Kevin,
Good portrait of the Mud men!
many thanks once again for us to see and understanding this sort of ritual which is still practised in Laos and their tradition! much appreciated for your effort!
this is nice and colourful image with great details
well done
warmest regards
Tony

siolaw (25698) 2008-07-16 21:54

Hi Kevin,
An excellent portrait of the mud man, standing out of the group thanks to a relatively narrow DOF. Settings are fine. The picture hasdocu value, but also artistic quality
Shooting with the D40?
LAurent

riclopes (32857) 2008-07-17 1:24

Fascinating, Kevin. I wonder what surprises do you have more from this festival, because I wasn't expecting this mud thing at all. Excellent close approach showing well the spirit of possession in this isolated participant. The blurred background also describes well the general atmosphere. Very good.
regards,
ricardo

PixelTerror (86026) 2008-07-17 23:59

Hi Kevin,
Looks a bit dirty at first glance, but an image right into the action which gives great closeness to the subject and also I like that the expression is full of joxy, very positive image.
Have a nice day jY

trekks (14260) 2008-07-18 1:41

hi Kevin

Such interesting ritual which is normally annual event and you have captured it nicely in such close range to show the intimate expressions. A good TE photo for daily life. I wonder if you lens get mud? tfs

bill

kensimage (8539) 2008-07-18 14:08

Very nicely caught, Kevin--the man looks really enraptured. Somehow, even though there is a whole chaotic crowd behind him, the image is not busy. He stands out from the crowd, as if off in his own world, which he probably is! Regards, Ken.

MarcT (20983) 2008-07-19 5:39

Hi Kevin,
That's a superb portrait. Very well in the action and with natural colours.
Well done
Marc

axiotea (15919) 2008-07-19 10:33

Hello Kevin
A good approach of this festival in which the young men are following ancient rites!I like the expression of the guy who looks like to be possessed...maybe by the spirit and the crowd behind him providing a perfect BG.
All the best
Marilyn

chirasak (575) 2008-07-28 8:41

Hi Ajarn
look like fun tradition, a nice portrait is well done, thanks for sharing, is it better if background is blur more

have a look my WS i hope you like it :)

Regards
Chirasak

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noborders (14215) 2008-08-31 11:56

He seems to really enjoy the moment ! Very interesting event, I think I would enjoy the event too !
Compliments,
Cath.