Thailand: A Siamese aristocrat dressed for the ‘Drinking of the Water of Allegiance’ ceremony, mid- to late-19th century. The ‘Drinking of the Water of Allegiance’ ceremony was a Siamese state festival derived from the Khmers who performed a similar ritual in the 10th/11th century CE. It was one of the most important state ceremonies in the Ayutthaya kingdom (1350—1767). During the Rattanakosin period (1767—1932) in Siam, the rite took place twice yearly: on the third day of the waxing of the fifth month (Chaitra), and on the 13th day of the waning of the 10th month (Bhadrapada).

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Size: 3111px × 5618px
Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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