For much of Southeast Asia, New Year's comes in April of the calendar year. And per tradition, it also comes with a whole lotta water to wash away any bad luck from the previous year.
In Thailand, it's called Songkran. In Burma, it's called Thingyan. Originally based on the astrological calendar, the Buddhist festivals involved people dumping copious amounts of water on each other in a fun mass mutual cleansing and purification ritual. They are the biggest annual celebrations in Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos.
This year, the three to four days of water-throwing are a welcome break from four months of political protests over the legitimacy of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Most recently, crowds in Bangkok meant anti-government marches. This week, it's a big, wet celebration.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/04/19/new-years-in-thailand-and-burma-one-huge-water-fight/
No comments:
Post a Comment