Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Thaipusam 2010
This past Saturday was a very long day on top of a very long and exhausting week. The day began early as I had committed to do an "Amazing Race" around Singapore as this would help me get more acclimated with my new surroundings and also give me the opportunity to learn about the history of Singapore from locals and visit some amazing sights. But I am going to talk about this part of my day in the next blog installment, as this entry is dedicated to Thaipusam!
First let me tell you what Thaipusam is: it's actually a celebrating the birthday of the Hindi God Subramaniam and this is where the Hindu's show just how devoted they are to their religion and their God. This is the time when individuals pray for divine help from the Gods and make vows and when their prayers are answered, they must succumb to the vow that has been made.
In order to show their devotion, these individuals pierce their tongue, face, cheeks and all other body parts with a variety of sharp object such as 24in skewers, hooks with heavy objects hung from them, and other sharp objects. Next, the devotees friends and family load what is called a kavadi which is a cage like object on their shoulders that is lavishly adorned with a variety of feathers and other decorative objects; these kavadi's can weigh up to 30 pounds. Finally, the devotees along with their family and friends go on a 4km (2.5 miles) pilgrimage around the island of Singapore bare foot to show their true devotion and celebrate the birth of their God.
On the side bar, there is a photo slide show I have uploaded for you take a look at the photos from the festival, I have also uploaded these to my facebook page. There are pictures from my previous blog "Life In Little India" as well.
That is a brief description of the actual event, now let me describe through the eyes of a first timer.
The day was scorching hot, probably about 90 degrees with extreme humidity as you can imagine being a on tropical island. Although I had briefly researched this festival prior to attending, there are not enough pictures nor words that can describe the view. I met a friend there and I barged my way through the crowd right to the front for the optimal view where she had been photographing the festivities for much of the day.
It was slow at first.......but then it began; on this scorching hot concrete, stood a man surrounded by upwards of 10 people dancing and playing music. Although this man wasn't large by many accounts, he had a kavadi on him that stood about 8-10 feet high and around 5 feet wide. It was made of metal and beautifully adorned with multiple colors of feathers, pictures of their God and his body was pierced with looks like around 20-50 large skewers. His tongue and lips were also pierced but the amazing thing was there was no blood. The steel of the skewers and metal on the kavadi dazzled and reflected the evening sun that further announced their arrival. The devotees fast for around 30 days which slows down the blood flow and this alleviates most of the blood lose as they are pierced, their family and friends also carry around a try of white talc like powder as they march around the island that helps prevent bleeding should it begin. In addition to the large skewers, you also witness people hang fruits such as apples or limes on hooks and place them on their body as they dangle from their skin as if they were still on a tree branch. To see the human skin stretched and pierced to unimaginable limits is a amazing sight.
This was a family affair, so although it was mostly just men that took part in the piercing and such, the women too participated and supported their men. Dressed in their best traditional Hindi garb with elaborate hair and make up, they looked absolutely stunning and you couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of this culture and people.
As I look around, I began to wonder what is on the minds of others viewing this festival; are they in attendance to take part in the in the cultural experience, celebrate the birthday of their God as well without participating in the parade, or simply there to view the..........dare I say: "freak show".
Later as I was finally able to reflect on the days events, I began to realize that this was so much more than a "freak show" or entertainment, we were witnessing the ultimate trust in faith as well as seeing the extreme stress and torture the human body can withstand. I am sure everyone reading has either been to church, perhaps you are religious, or at least know a little something about religion, now imagine what lengths you would go through for your God and just how much are you willing to sacrifice to get what you want? Remember, part of this celebration to pray for something (perhaps a job) and the sacrifice is fasting for weeks and at the end, go on a 2.5 mile pilgrimage while your body is pierced with many sharp objects. As you read this and consider all the conditions and obstacles these devotees have to withstand to complete this sacrifice, you must know that it's only faith and God that can keep them alive and moving; and that is truly inspirational!
I have always had a strange fascination with the human body since I was kid; in fact, I often say that the greatest piece of architecture ever created is the human body. The pain, suffering, and torture the human body can withstand and eventually repair itself is absolutely remarkable and to be able to witness this first hand, was a truly amazing and spiritual experience.
So, now on to a general update since I haven't wrote a blog in about 2.5 months. You may remember from previous installments that I was planning to move due to the cameras in my previous apartments and crazy rules we had to live by, I have since moved and love my new place. It's a much smaller complex with the same amenities, but unfortunately we don't have a bowling alley in the basement here (I know, what's a bowler to do now?) but we have the gym, pool, gated etc. My roommates are also expats from Europe though, one is a British expat and the other is Norwegian both professionals and very cool guys. Oh and my other roommates which are a family of lizards that I think are living in my bathroom. They make appearances every few days I think to just let us know who is boss of the bathroom. They are probably the size of my pinkie finger (the larger ones) and funny thing is I think I am more scared than they are, well at first I was I have gotten used to them now (well somewhat). When I first noticed them, while brushing my teeth, I jumped on the toilet so fast to get off the ground, I don't know if the human eye could have seen it..it scared the crap out of me as I didn't know what they were and Singapore has so many bugs and little critters running around this island.
Work is good, hard to believe I have been here for 5 months already but as I have began to learn more about the culture and and learn from the locals, I am beginning to really enjoy my time here.
I have some exciting stuff to write about in the coming weeks so stay tuned. We have Chinese New Year in 2 weeks, shopping on Arab street, a trip to Sentosa Island, and a few others so lots to write about and there will be plenty of pictures to share.
I hope you enjoyed this installment of my blog, please remember to view the pictures on the side bar as they help complete the visual and also remember you can leave comments for me and don't forget to sign up as a follower at the top of the page.
So until next time,
Jason
First let me tell you what Thaipusam is: it's actually a celebrating the birthday of the Hindi God Subramaniam and this is where the Hindu's show just how devoted they are to their religion and their God. This is the time when individuals pray for divine help from the Gods and make vows and when their prayers are answered, they must succumb to the vow that has been made.
In order to show their devotion, these individuals pierce their tongue, face, cheeks and all other body parts with a variety of sharp object such as 24in skewers, hooks with heavy objects hung from them, and other sharp objects. Next, the devotees friends and family load what is called a kavadi which is a cage like object on their shoulders that is lavishly adorned with a variety of feathers and other decorative objects; these kavadi's can weigh up to 30 pounds. Finally, the devotees along with their family and friends go on a 4km (2.5 miles) pilgrimage around the island of Singapore bare foot to show their true devotion and celebrate the birth of their God.
On the side bar, there is a photo slide show I have uploaded for you take a look at the photos from the festival, I have also uploaded these to my facebook page. There are pictures from my previous blog "Life In Little India" as well.
That is a brief description of the actual event, now let me describe through the eyes of a first timer.
The day was scorching hot, probably about 90 degrees with extreme humidity as you can imagine being a on tropical island. Although I had briefly researched this festival prior to attending, there are not enough pictures nor words that can describe the view. I met a friend there and I barged my way through the crowd right to the front for the optimal view where she had been photographing the festivities for much of the day.
It was slow at first.......but then it began; on this scorching hot concrete, stood a man surrounded by upwards of 10 people dancing and playing music. Although this man wasn't large by many accounts, he had a kavadi on him that stood about 8-10 feet high and around 5 feet wide. It was made of metal and beautifully adorned with multiple colors of feathers, pictures of their God and his body was pierced with looks like around 20-50 large skewers. His tongue and lips were also pierced but the amazing thing was there was no blood. The steel of the skewers and metal on the kavadi dazzled and reflected the evening sun that further announced their arrival. The devotees fast for around 30 days which slows down the blood flow and this alleviates most of the blood lose as they are pierced, their family and friends also carry around a try of white talc like powder as they march around the island that helps prevent bleeding should it begin. In addition to the large skewers, you also witness people hang fruits such as apples or limes on hooks and place them on their body as they dangle from their skin as if they were still on a tree branch. To see the human skin stretched and pierced to unimaginable limits is a amazing sight.
This was a family affair, so although it was mostly just men that took part in the piercing and such, the women too participated and supported their men. Dressed in their best traditional Hindi garb with elaborate hair and make up, they looked absolutely stunning and you couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of this culture and people.
As I look around, I began to wonder what is on the minds of others viewing this festival; are they in attendance to take part in the in the cultural experience, celebrate the birthday of their God as well without participating in the parade, or simply there to view the..........dare I say: "freak show".
Later as I was finally able to reflect on the days events, I began to realize that this was so much more than a "freak show" or entertainment, we were witnessing the ultimate trust in faith as well as seeing the extreme stress and torture the human body can withstand. I am sure everyone reading has either been to church, perhaps you are religious, or at least know a little something about religion, now imagine what lengths you would go through for your God and just how much are you willing to sacrifice to get what you want? Remember, part of this celebration to pray for something (perhaps a job) and the sacrifice is fasting for weeks and at the end, go on a 2.5 mile pilgrimage while your body is pierced with many sharp objects. As you read this and consider all the conditions and obstacles these devotees have to withstand to complete this sacrifice, you must know that it's only faith and God that can keep them alive and moving; and that is truly inspirational!
I have always had a strange fascination with the human body since I was kid; in fact, I often say that the greatest piece of architecture ever created is the human body. The pain, suffering, and torture the human body can withstand and eventually repair itself is absolutely remarkable and to be able to witness this first hand, was a truly amazing and spiritual experience.
So, now on to a general update since I haven't wrote a blog in about 2.5 months. You may remember from previous installments that I was planning to move due to the cameras in my previous apartments and crazy rules we had to live by, I have since moved and love my new place. It's a much smaller complex with the same amenities, but unfortunately we don't have a bowling alley in the basement here (I know, what's a bowler to do now?) but we have the gym, pool, gated etc. My roommates are also expats from Europe though, one is a British expat and the other is Norwegian both professionals and very cool guys. Oh and my other roommates which are a family of lizards that I think are living in my bathroom. They make appearances every few days I think to just let us know who is boss of the bathroom. They are probably the size of my pinkie finger (the larger ones) and funny thing is I think I am more scared than they are, well at first I was I have gotten used to them now (well somewhat). When I first noticed them, while brushing my teeth, I jumped on the toilet so fast to get off the ground, I don't know if the human eye could have seen it..it scared the crap out of me as I didn't know what they were and Singapore has so many bugs and little critters running around this island.
Work is good, hard to believe I have been here for 5 months already but as I have began to learn more about the culture and and learn from the locals, I am beginning to really enjoy my time here.
I have some exciting stuff to write about in the coming weeks so stay tuned. We have Chinese New Year in 2 weeks, shopping on Arab street, a trip to Sentosa Island, and a few others so lots to write about and there will be plenty of pictures to share.
I hope you enjoyed this installment of my blog, please remember to view the pictures on the side bar as they help complete the visual and also remember you can leave comments for me and don't forget to sign up as a follower at the top of the page.
So until next time,
Jason
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