Due to a prolonged dry spell in Nakhon Sawan province, residents of three villages have revived a traditional rain-bringing ritual known as the Hae Nang Maew Ceremony.
However, this time, the customary practice took an unconventional turn with the use of a Doraemon soft toy instead of a live cat.
The ceremony, which typically involves parading a live cat to entice rain gods, was conducted in late April amidst Thailand’s severe heatwave.
Dr. Tarin Clanuwat, a research scientist with expertise in Japanese literature, gained global attention after sharing an image of the Doraemon soft toy being carried in a cage on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Local sources explained that the ceremony holds significance for Thai farmers, who believe that the presence of a cat, traditionally averse to water, will summon much-needed rain for their crops.
In this adaptation, the use of a Doraemon toy preserves the essence of the ritual while avoiding potential distress to live animals.
The decision to substitute a live cat with a Doraemon soft toy garnered praise from netizens, who recognized the importance of preserving tradition while considering animal welfare.
Thailand has been grappling with record temperatures and a severe heatwave throughout April, exacerbating drought conditions across the country.
With temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in numerous provinces, the revival of this ancient ritual serves as a testament to the community’s resilience and creativity in seeking relief from adverse weather conditions.
