Penang Bon Odori Carnival 2008 - 19 July 2008

A traditional Japanese festival with dance and drum performances held to welcome the homecoming of ancestral spirits and the organiser is The Consulate-General of Japan, Penang.

For this year, "Penang Bon Odori Carnival 2008" would be held at the Esplanade (Padang Kota Lama) on Saturday, 19 July 2008 from 6pm to 11pm
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Bon Odori Festival in Penang, like in other parts of the world, is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Bon Odori is observed during Obon, which in turn is Buddhist holiday that originated in Japan to pay tribute to the ancestral spirits. The customs of this festival varies from one region to another but the traditional celebration includes a Bon dance with people dancing to the tune of musicians and singers of the Obon music around a wooden building.

More about Bon Odori ........

This Buddhist dance festival is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward their ancestors. Bon Odori originates from the story of a Buddhist disciple who envisioned his deceased mother in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts where she was endulging in her own selfishness. Greatly disturbed, he went to Buddha and asked how he could release his mother from this realm. Buddha advised his disciple to perform some charitable act in memory of his mother. The disciple did this and, thus, saw his mother's release for the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. He also began to see the true nature of her past unselfishness and the many sacrifices that she had made for him. The disciple, happy because of his mother's release and grateful for his mother's kindness, danced with joy. From this dance of joy comes Bon Odori or Bon Dance, a time in which our ancestors and their sacrifices are remembered and appreciated.

Today the Bon Odori Festival participants continue this custom as they dance in traditional Japanese dress, including kimonos, yukata (cotton kimonos), and hopi coats (short coats styled like a kimono top). The dances may include the use of fans, castinets, straw hats or cotton towels and recall both daily life in Japan and rememberance of ancestors.

The festival in Penang will see many stall selling food, Japanese & local as well as promotion of Japanese products during this time.

So folks, make a date to be at this festival and Enjoys to celebrate another festival happening in Penang......