Fire Walking, and The Mah Song

The Vegetarian Festival occurs once a year, and only in Phuket. In this festival, which celebrates the visitation of the nine gods to their followers, many processions are led by the mah song. The mah song are men and women who are considered to be pure, and are required to be unmarried. They are put into trances in which they call the spirits of the gods into their bodies. While in this state, they pierce their bodies with all kinds of things, from knives, axes, and swords, to fruit, candelabras, and anything sharp enough to be pushed through skin. It’s rather horrible to watch! But in this video, you won’t see any of that. Instead, let me show you the fire walking!