Thailand has been grappling with a severe heat wave recently — in April, temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius in 26 provinces, according to data from the Thai Meteorological Department.
In a bid to bring an end to a prolonged drought, residents from three villages in Thailand’s Nakhon Sawan province gathered to hold a rain-making ritual.
Source: @tkasasagi on X
However, instead of using the traditional live cat, they substituted it with a Doraemon soft toy.
Doraemon is a time-travelling cat from the popular Japanese manga and anime of the same name.
The unusual adaptation of the Thai ritual went viral after Dr Tarin Clanuwat, a research scientist from Japan’s Waseda University, posted a clip of the ceremony on X.
According to the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, the Hae Nang Maew or Cat Parading Ceremony is a time-honoured tradition among Thai farmers.
Central to the ceremony is the cat, revered for its believed ability to summon rain with its cry when splashed with water.
Source: @pinweena_pin_ on X
Many netizens approved of the plush toy substitute as it spares a real feline from distress.
Yet, questions arose regarding the ritual’s authenticity as it typically involves a female cat.
Doraemon, on the other hand, is male.
“They should’ve used Dorami instead,” remarked a news anchor from JKN18’s Top News.
Source: Doraemon Wiki
Amidst the debate, many found humour in the fact that people focused more on the plushie’s gender than the fact that it was merely a toy.
The recent Hae Nang Maew Ceremony isn’t the first instance of Thais incorporating Doraemon into religious customs.
Doraemon dolls adorn several shrines across Thailand, including one on Surawong Road in Bangkok.
Source: Embassy of Japan in Thailand via Facebook
According to a Facebook post by the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, worshippers visit these shrines to make wishes.
When their wishes come true, they present Doraemon dolls as offerings.
Traditionally, people offered wooden elephants or zebras at these shrines, but we think this is a much cuter alternative.
Also read: White Cat In China Emerges From Pigment Factory With Blue Fur, Gets Dubbed Doraemon
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Featured image courtesy of @tkasasagi on X and @pinweena_pin_ on X.
The authorities have investigated and closed the incident with no follow-ups required, MFA said.
He crossed the border daily in hopes of buying a house for his family.
On a few days, the thundery showers might extend into the night.
His church has urged parishioners to refrain from visiting him as he heals.
The kitten will be put up for adoption after its injuries are cured.
The toasts were barely a few centimetres thick.