February is the time for Setsubun, Valentines and last but not least, Chinese New Year! Letfs not forget that we are an INTERNATIONAL Club and therefore celebrate ALL types of festivities as long as its fun and we have the ability to organize them!
In Japan, the most celebrated festivity in February is of course Setsubun. On February 3, the day before winter changes to spring, the Setsubun ritual is performed to chase away harmful influences and bring good luck and happiness. In homes, the custom is to scatter roasted beans while shouting out, "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!"("Out with the demons, in with fortune!"). After the mame-maki is over, everyone eats the same number of beans as their own age. It is believed that by doing so, people will be free of illness during that year. Of course, the children from the Japanese Playgroup will be celebrating this fun event this month with lots of bean fights!
February is also the month when the Hindus celebrate Thaipussam which falls on the 1st February. Here in Penang, Thaipussam is celebrated with gusto with a parade of devotees with pierced bodies walking from Penang Road to Waterfall Road. For those who have never seen this extraordinary event, be sure to go early as the roads will be blocked or jammed from 4pm to midnight. Otherwise, itfs a good time to stay at home to catch up on the Astromax youfve recorded!
But if you are looking to be more active, I would strongly recommend that you volunteer to help at the Tokio Festival, for which we are forming a committee. I know, we had just finished one in November last year, but we need to start planning and working on this yearfs event like, NOW!!!! This time we really need A LOT more help as the State Government has pledged to help out to make it even BIGGER and better than last yearfs. So Please, Please, Please call us to offer your help or to offer SOMEONEfs help!
And finally, a bit of self promotionc The Pink Hibiscus Dancers are fast becoming a emust havef troupe when it comes to any Japanese type performances. We have again been invited to dance, this time at the AIESEC Cultural Budaya and the State Government Chinese New Year Open House. The Budaya is a festival of multi-cultural performances so Anyone interested in seeing whatfs it about and to give us some moral support, come on the 3rd February to the Dewan Tunku Syed Putra. Programme. Tickets are at RM6 per person, unless of course you want to join the dancers! Heh heh!
Editor, Pink Hibiscus Flush Bulletin
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