The Karen Student Association at Chiang Mai University (CMU) hosted the traditional Karen Wrist Tying Ceremony at the Faculty of Social Sciences on Saturday.
The cultural gathering brought together Karen students, community members, and local residents across Chiang Mai to preserve ethnic heritage and foster community solidarity.
Ritual significance and traditional offerings
Known in the Sgaw Karen dialect as Lakukisu, the wrist-tying custom is an ancient tradition observed to recall wandering spirits, ward off illness, and wish participants health, protection, and prosperity.
| Ritual Element | Cultural Symbolism & Purpose |
| White Cotton Threads | Bound around wrists by community elders to protect individuals from harm and anchor spirits to the body. |
| Sticky Rice & Water | Represents unity, physical strength, cleansing, and peace of mind. |
| Flowers & Sugarcane | Symbolizes adaptability, growth in new environments, and sweet prosperity. |
During the ceremony, elders bound white cotton threads around attendees’ wrists alongside traditional symbolic offerings. Student organizers highlighted the critical importance of establishing dedicated spaces for cultural exchange within university environments, enabling displaced youth and students to remain connected to their ancestral customs.
“The Wrist Tying Ceremony is believed to make its participants physically fit and more healthy. In addition, the custom is believed to bring safety and health to its participants,” said Hal J, a student organizer with the Karen Student Association.
“We believe that by hosting cultural events, Karen students and members of the public can have a space where they can learn about Karen cultures and traditions. Our message is simple: Please join us in our future events. We are eager to show our culture with the world.”
Watch our 2024 DVB English News report on the Karen Traditional Wrist Tying Ceremony at CMU.
