Vegetarian Kebab

The Vegetarian festival takes place in Southern Thailand around October/November.This year it ran between 19-26 October.

The festival's origins are not clear. Whilst having a Bhuddist flavour it is a Chinese festival and supposedly Taoist in origin. Apparently though there is no record in China of such a Taoist festival and we are told that some of the trance like behaviour and piercing involved has Malaysian parallels.

 

As well as meaning a change in diet for us we also had some interesting experiences. One night we went up to the temple in Takua Pa old town which had a fair running along side it. There was a big  crowd gathered many enjoying the fun of the fair. Some were inside the temple with a number working themselves into a controlled state of frenzy shaking their heads from side to side and hopping around.

Almost everyone was dressed in white which is the clothing colour of choice during the festival. Sue had a white top, but the best I could manage out of my wardrobe was some light grey and blue. As far as we could see we were the only farang present. The slight feeling of self consciousness I was feeling increased when after 10 minutes or so Din, the 8 year old boy whose hand I was holding, indicated that he wanted to go to the toilet. Being a farang, at the vegetarian festival, not dressed in white, waiting outside the public toilets for an 8 year old Thai boy, I did feel  a tad conspicuous. The head shakers were too busy to notice though. Din later went on to win a large bottle of fabric softener on the wheel of fortune which made his night.

The gentlemen pictured visited BTNC on the last day of the festival with his band of merry men and women. Not sure what he does for a day job, but once a year  for a week he apparently takes a break to build up some  scar tissue on his cheeks. Lots of head shaking and drum beating took place. Offerings were duly given and received blessings given, and firecrackers exploded. For some reason a pineapple left out as on offering was presented back to Sue. We both along with everyone else received red and white cotton bands tied around our wrists. Beats Guy Fawkes.