Emerging from a Trance : The Oracles (LA) of Matho Monastery.

During the peak winters, in the month of February two oracles – Tibetan monks who have been meditating in an isolated trance for several months will emerge from their stillness in order to predict the future of the village. After hours of waiting, they come out in public. Well, their skin is black, they've covered it in some sort of black oil with charcoal. Their chests are painted with colorful shapes in white, red, green, yellow ink, figures which seem to resemble Buddha, which is painted by special artists taking long hours of precision work. The oracles' hair is a mass of matted dreadlocks and other black stuff that resembles a furry animal carcass woven into a giant clump on their head. The mass of furry hair material is so thick and dense, it obscures their faces.

This experience was beyond expression and taking photos of the oracles is strictly prohibited, hence the detail description and some shots of the ambiance for a better understanding.