Xen Ban rituals reenacted at Thuan Chau Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival 2026

As part of the Thuan Chau Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival 2026, Thuan Chau commune on July 3 morning reenacted the traditional Xen Ban, a traditional festival that embodies the distinctive cultural identity of the Thai ethnic people.

The reenactment of the Xen Ban Festival.

Xen Ban is a traditional folk belief ceremony of the Thai ethnic community. It is held to commemorate the ancestors who founded the hamlet, express gratitude to the guardian deities for protecting the local community, and pray for favourable weather, abundant harvests, peace, and prosperity.

The Xen ritual at Tu Sua Tau (the hamlet entrance).

At the commune park, the reenactment began with the Xen ritual at Tu Sua Tau, regarded as the hamlet's spiritual gateway at the hamlet's entrance where guardian deities are believed to reside and protect the community.

The Xen ritual at Tu Sua Nua (offering prayers at the sacred ancient tree at the end of the hamlet).

The ritual procession then moved to Tu Sua Nua, the site of a sacred ancient tree located at the end of the hamlet (Hua Ban). There, participants offered prayers asking the deities to continue safeguarding the hamlet, warding off evil spirits, bringing favourable weather, bumper crops, prosperity, and peace to the community.

A shaman performs the Ta Offering Ceremony.

Following the two rituals at the hamlet’s entrance, the most significant part of the festival, the Ta Offering Ceremony, was held to express reverence and gratitude to the mountain, stream, and earth deities for their protection. The ceremony also conveyed wishes for favourable weather, successful agricultural production, thriving livestock farming, good health, and a prosperous and happy life for all residents in the coming year.

The Panh Khuon (soul-tying) ritual is performed.

After the principal rituals were completed, the shamans and local residents returned to the Chau Sua House to perform the Panh Khuon Ceremony (the soul-tying ritual). According to Thai beliefs, after major ceremonial events, people perform this ritual to preserve their health, good fortune, and inner peace. It also marks the conclusion of the ceremonial part of Xen Ban Festival, symbolising spiritual fulfillment and community unity.

After the rituals are completed, locals join together in the traditional Xoe dance.

 

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