Drought-Stricken Village Revives Cat Blessing Ritual for Rain
Residents of drought-stricken Kon Chim Subdistrict in Khon Kaen performed a traditional cat goddess blessing ritual using dolls instead of a live cat, hoping to bring rain after two months without significant rainfall devastated rice crops.
Over 100 residents of Kon Chim Subdistrict in Waeng Yai District, Khon Kaen, held a traditional cat goddess blessing ceremony after the area experienced no significant rainfall for more than two months, causing rice crops to wither and die across wide areas. This year, villagers used cat and Doraemon dolls placed in cages instead of a live cat, parading them around the village for over 3 kilometers while residents splashed water in accordance with ancient belief, and bringing fishing nets, bamboo fish traps, and agricultural tools to request rain. Chaivattha Dokmaignaam, head of the Kon Chim Subdistrict Administration Organization, revealed that Waeng Yai has received almost no rain this year, only occasional drizzle insufficient for farming; many farmers have planted rice three times but seeds failed to germinate due to dry, hardened soil preventing growth.
The area had previously requested assistance from the Royal Rainmaking Department and agricultural aviation, but operations could not proceed due to unfavorable weather conditions. The Chi River water level at nearby locations is critically low in many sections, affecting Waeng Yai, Waeng Noi, and bordering areas of Chaiyaphum Province. Multiple districts across Khon Kaen—including Phol, Waeng Noi, Waeng Yai, Chonburi, and parts of Non Sila—continue facing severe drought despite some areas experiencing rain or flooding.
The cat goddess blessing tradition is an ancient northeastern belief holding that after performing the ceremony and making requests, rain will fall as requested. This year, villagers chose to use dolls instead of a live cat, reflecting how the tradition has adapted to modern times while preserving local culture and beliefs.
