Bangkok it was my first destination in Asia. As soon as I arrived at capital of thailand, I discovered that soon there would be a festival in phuket. I was told we were in luck, as it was a very famous vegetarian festival. I really didn't know what it was and didn't understand why a lettuce event could cause such a stir.
Well, that was until I searched the Google and see people bored in every possible way. A week later I was in Phuket to the call Festival of the 9 Emperor Gods (The Nine Emperor Gods Festival), a cultural and religious tradition of Chinese origin that became popular in several other Asian countries that have a large Taoist community.
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During the 9 days of the festival, devotees usually dress in white and limit themselves to vegetarian food, do not drink, practice sexual abstinence and a few other things to worship their ancestral gods. Some devotees, in a trance state, have their cheeks, tongue or other body parts pierced by all sorts of objects. All the same!
while the Masongs (people who invite the spirits of the gods to possess their bodies) parade through the streets, families wait in front of their homes or in establishments making offerings. In return, the Masongs bless the locals and the people.
Os Masongs they don't necessarily pierce or mutilate themselves in any way. The locals appreciate those who don't pierce themselves in the same way. While the parades take place, the activities in the city's various temples do not stop. We were welcomed in all the temples and we were even invited to have dinner or lunch whenever we wanted.
Children also participate in the parades, but are limited to carrying flags, usually with symbols of the temples they attend.
Doctors, nurses and volunteers accompany to assist in whatever is necessary. Drinking water when you have 32 skewers in your mouth is a real challenge.
In the parades, the Masongs they are followed by devotees who carry chairs with images of the gods. These guys don't pierce themselves, but all the way through they must face a hail of fireworks.
Drinks are available at tables along the way.
If the heat and the bombs exploding on top of you weren't enough, there's still choking smoke. But they don't lose their way or their animation.
The end is a much quieter part. They emerge dragons driven by people and children in costumes who receive/exchange money by luck.
The streets are covered in red, especially because of the thousands of fireworks that explode all over the city. It's the parade of the day ends with a cleanse.
All of this may seem very strange to outsiders, but it is a very traditional party open to everyone.
A very positive point: all the people – without exception – we met were very friendly and receptive.
It even made me want to grab some needles and stick them at the party…
But… will is something that gives….but it passes!
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