Children as Part
of Worldwide Traditions
Songkran Festival in Thailand
Anotai Udomwittayakrai
from Thailand
Songkran is a traditional
Thai New Year that starts on April 13 annually. It is also called the "Water
Festival" because people believe that water will wash away bad luck and
make people fresh. On this day, we sprinkle small drops of water to bless
monks and elders. Their hands are sprinkled with perfumed water. In addition,
this festival is for rain because it is the hottest season.
Nowadays, during the Songkran
Festival, people always wet down everybody who walks past their houses
or walks down the street with cups or buckets of water, squirt guns, hoses
and anything else. Everyone gets wet, but it is all in a spirit of friendliness,
blessing and fun. People who get wet actually do not get angry because
they know that it is traditional.
People will go to the temples
to bathe Buddha images and give special food to the monks. People will
do good things such as freeing fish or birds and other animals from their
cages.
On this day, everywhere in
Thailand, people celebrate and enjoy the festival.
Especially in Chieng Mai
which is in the Northern part of Thailand. We can see many foreigners enjoy
this festival with Thais. Everybody also enjoys public events such as beauty
contests, parades, and marching bands.
The Water Festival gives
us freshness, happiness and fun because the weather is very hot. I hope
everyone will try to visit and enjoy this festival.
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