Phuket's Vegetarian Festival
The original festival of Phuket people. Phuket's Vegetarian festival (or jia chai in local Hokkien
Chinese dialect) began in 1825, when the govenor of Thalang, Praya Jerm, moved
the island's principal town from Ta Reua in Thalang District to Get-Hoe in
Kathu District, where were tin mines and Chinese miners. Kathu was then still
covered by jungle and fever was rife. It happened that a traveling opera
company (called ngiu in Thai or pua-hee in Hokkien dialect) came from China to
perform for the miners
When the whole company grew sick from an unnamed malady, they
kept to a vegetarian diet to honor two of the emperor gods, Kiew Ong Tai Teh
and Yok Ong Sone Teh. The sickness afflicting the opera troupe then disappeared.
This greatly interested the people of Kathu, who asked how it was done. The
answer came that ritual vegetarianism with its attendant ceremonies had been
the cause, with the result that people embraced the faith enthusiastically. Thus
the festival began:starting the first evening of the ninth lunar month, it
continued until the ninth evening; the aim was to bring good luck to
individuals as well as to the community.
It later happened that one familiar with the festival
volunteered to return to Kansai, in China, where he invited the sacred Hiao Ho-le
or Hiao lan (incense smoke) and Lian Tui (name plaques), which have the status
of gods, to come stay in Kathu. He also brought holy writings used in the
ceremonies, returning to Phuket on the seventh night of the ninth month. The
people, upon hearing of his arrival, went in procession to Bang Niao Pier to
bring him and his sacred cargo back. This was the origin of the processions
that figure so greatly in the festival.
The afternoon before the festival begins, a great pole at
each temple is raised, called the Go Teng pole, with which the gods are invited
to descend. At midnight the pole is hung with nine lanterns, signalizing the
opening of the fest. Two important gods are also invited down at midnight to
preside over ceremonies; these are Yok Ong Hong Tae and Kiew Ong Tai Tae.
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| Chinese Shire |
Aside from this, there are other ceremonies throughout the
fest, notably: invocation of the gods Lam Tao, who keeps track of the living, and
Pak Tao, who keeps track of the dead; processions of the gods' images; and
feats of the Ma Song-like bathing in hot oil, bladed ladder climbing and fire-walking.
The festival ends with merit making ceremonies at each temple (sadoh kroh) and
the send-off of the gods on the last night (when fireworks are at their most
impressive).
Ma Song, or entranced horses, are devotees whom the gods
enter during the fest. They manifest supernatural powers and perform self-tortures
in order to shift evil from individuals onto themselves, and to bring the
community good luck. Ma Song fall into two categories: those who, having had an
intimation of impending doom, want to extend their lives; and people specially
chosen by the gods for their moral qualities.
Throughout the festival fireworks and drums are sounded, especially
during ceremonies. It is held that the louder they are the better, because the
noise drives away evil spirits.
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| Vegetarian Food |
Participants in the fest keep to a strict vegetarian diet
for a varying number of days, usually no less than three. This they do to make
themselves strong in mind and body; they refrain from all vice, eating animal
flesh, and killing animals. The festival thus promotes good hygiene, brightness
and inner peace.
Before you have practice Vegetarian you should do as below
10 RULES FOR THE VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL
1. Cleanliness of bodies during the festival
2. Clean kitchen utensils and to use them seperately from
other who do not join the festival
3. Wear white during the festival
4. Behave physically and mentally
5. No meat eating
6. No sex
7. No alcoholic drinks
8. People at mourning period should not attend the festival
9. Pragnant ladies should not watch any ritual
10. Ladies with period should not attend the ritual
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