Chiang Mai: "Warawut" invites people to join in preserving and preserving the traditions and wisdom of hill tribe people at the New Rice Eating Festival on January 17. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, stated that the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, through the Department of Social Development and Welfare, is preparing to organize the 'Festival to Inherit and Preserve the Identity of the Way of Life and Tradition of Highland People.' The event will be held from January 17-19, 2025, at the Highland People Learning Museum in Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province. The festival aims to disseminate royal projects related to the development of the quality of life of highlanders and to promote the Highland People Learning Museum as a learning hub about the way of life of highlanders. It also seeks to create awareness and understanding of the Ministry's mission, responding to royal initiatives and various policies focused on the development of highlanders. T he festival will emphasize the preservation of the identity, way of life, and wisdom of highlanders, particularly in the dimension of food security, linked to the 'new rice eating tradition.'
According to Thai News Agency, the 'New Rice Eating Tradition' is a significant cultural event for the hill tribe people, who are mostly ethnic groups. This tradition involves ceremonies that reflect their culture and beliefs, passed down from ancestors, spanning from pre-planting to post-harvest. While the format of the tradition varies across different areas due to beliefs, living conditions, and changing times, its core purpose remains to bring good fortune and ensure crop abundance. The festivities involve cooking harvested rice, playing local games, singing, dancing, and performing rituals. Ethnic communities use this opportunity to exchange knowledge about seeds, tools, methods, and products. Women engage in weaving unique cloth patterns in preparation for New Year's festivals and auspicious ceremonies. The summer season is a time for the land's recovery, accompanied by rituals to worship forest spirits.
The Ministry is inviting the general public to participate in the "New Rice Eating Tradition" from January 17-19, 2025, at the Highland People Learning Museum. Attendees will have the chance to explore exhibitions on royal projects aimed at improving the quality of life for people in the highlands. The festival will feature model homes, a fashion show of ethnic textile products, and a simulation of highland lifestyles, showcasing 10 ethnic groups: Karen, Hmong, Mien, Lisu, Lahu, Akha, Mlabri, Thin, Khmu, and Lawa.