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October 12th, 2018: A group of mah song devotees walk through the streets of Phuket Town screaming and cutting their tongues with axes, practicing self mutilation in order to drive away bad luck and evil spirits from their community.
Fireworks explode on the litter carrying the statue of one of the Emperor Gods during a ceremonial procession to the beach October 13, 2018.
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A mah song devotee has his cheeks pierced while an aide braces his head.
All images © 2013-2021 ADRYEL TALAMANTES
A mah song devotee has his cheeks pierced while an aides assist and watch.
A female mah song devotee walks with a long metal piercing through her cheek while holding a ceremonial whip and rod October 13, 2018.
People run and shield their ears as fireworks explode during the ceremonial procession to the beach October 13, 2018.
A group of mah song devotees walk through the streets of Phuket Town cutting their tongues with axes, practicing self mutilation in order to drive away bad luck and evil spirits from their community October 12, 2018.
A team of men carry the statue of one of the Emperor Gods on a litter during a ceremonial procession to the beach October 11, 2018.
A group of mah song devotees walk through the streets of Phuket Town cutting their tongues with axes, practicing self mutilation in order to drive away bad luck and evil spirits from their community.
A male mah song devotee stands with 8 metal spikes piercing his face and neck October 13, 2018.
A mah song devotee’s back, strung with Buddhist prayer beads and spattered with blood October 13, 2018.
A young man participating in the rites of the Tesakan Kinjeh pays respect and prays with a mah song devotee October 13, 2018.
A male mah song devotee walks through the streets of Phuket’s Old Town covered in his own blood while participating in a traditional procession.
A mah song devotee who moments before had his piercings removed holds gauze to his face and gestures to a colleague October 11, 2018.