Buddhist Theravada initiation ceremony - in pictures

On the morning of the shaving ceremony, Ta Pew gets carefully made up by his mother Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

Saw Win Gy and The The Win are prepared for the ceremony by their mother Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

Saw Win Gy and The The Win are dressed by their mother. Gold and jewelry is used to evoke the rich past of Prince Siddharta Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

The The Win performs the guest invitation ceremony on a small Buddha shrine Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

The The Win dons white robes before the walking parade to the monastery Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

Parents carry children to the ceremony on their shoulders Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

Saw Win Gy and The The Win visit the Buddhist shrine in a friend's home Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

The two friends invite a guest to the shaving initiation.The guest accepts by wetting his face Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

The friends, wearing ornate headdresses, rest in a friend's home before the ceremony Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

The The Win waits his turn for a shower after a long day touring around the camp Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

Saw Win Gy and The The Win take a rare chance to relax Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

Saw Win Gy waits his turn to be shaved at the monastery campground Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

Saw Win Gy has his head shaved by a monk at the Thirisanda monastery Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

Saw Win Gy receives the saffron robe and is shown by a monk how to wear it Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

The The Win at the end of the ceremony. His family will leave him in the monastery, where he will be separated from his family for the first time Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

The abbot explains monastic life to the new initiates Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

Saw Win Gy and The The Win exchange their saffron robes for white ones to recite the Ten Precepts Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

When the ceremony is finished and the children have become monks, their parents pray and throw popcorn, sweets and coins in the air Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it

Finally, the parents bow to their children in a sign of respect Photograph: Vincenzo Floramo/floramo.it