Rains bring life and prosperity. It's arrival is rightly celebrated all across the world in unique ways. Here are some of the authentic rain-worship festivals from across the globe
1. The Rocket Festival or Bun Bang Fai, Thailand
It marks the beginning of rains and honours Phaya Taen, the god of rain. The festival includes colorful rocket processions, traditional dance performances, parades, plenty of rice-wine and competitive firings of home-made rockets. The air- space over the region is closed and hundreds of home - made rockets are shot in the sky. Since recently, there’s even an international contest in which teams from Laos, Cambodia, South Korea and Japan compete for the best, most beautiful and fastest rocket
2. Makahiki, Hawaii
Makahiki is celebrated to honour Lono, the God of rainfall, fertility, agriculture, music and peace. The festivities are spread over four consecutive lunar months, approximately from October through March. It celebrates Kona storms , associated with Lono, that bring rain to leeward areas and dispenses fertility. Historically, Makahiki was a time when battles and wars would cease as an homage to Lono. This period represented rest, pleasure and renewal during the wet months. This was when the land would be replenished by the rain and when people could live peacefully. Nowadays, people of Hawaii curb work and spend their time practicing sports, skills, feasting and dancing
3. Longtaitou Festival, China
Longtaitou Festival, also known as the Eryueer Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival where the people pay homage to the dragon, which in ancient China, was considered the king of all creatures and in charge of rainfall. The story goes that after this day, the Dragon King would wake from his winter sleep and bring rainfall for the crops. The main event in celebration of this festival today is the temple fair that lasts until the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar
4. The Cat Procession Festival, Thailand
This festival is curious, horrifying and fascinating- all at the same time. It is based on the ancient belief that the cries of a female cat could draw a rainfall. A beautiful feline (black Siamese cats are preferred) is selected and entrapped in a woven basket . It is then paraded around from house to house in the village . People come out of their houses to throw water on the cat, making it cry.
5. Ha Giang Praying For Rain Festival, Vietnam
Every March, when the climate is dry and trees lack water, Lo Lo people of Ha Giang Province hold a praying for rain festival. The traditions and rituals of the festival are handed down from generation to generation. The festival is often held on the 15th, 17th, 19th of the the 3rd lunar month. It is a Lo Lo belief that this will bring an abundance of rain within nine days of the ritual. After this, the villagers proceed to break bread with customary alcohol as the girls of the village dance in their traditional costumes weaved with colorful patterns
6. Bunga Dyah Jatra, Nepal
Bunga Dyah Jatra or the Chariot of Rato Machindranath festival is one of the longest running Jatras in the country Nepal. This Jatra lasts for a whole month and the chariot that is built for this is over 60 foot tall. The chariot is decorated with all kinds of garlands and other decorations. When the chariot is ready, the statue of Bugs Dyah is installed in the chariot which is brought from Bunga Dyah’s temple. Machindranath is a deity of rain and his chariot is pulled in the hope of bringing on the monsoon rains. This festival is mostly celebrated by the Hindu and Buddhist of the Newar community
7. Festa Junina, Brazil
Festa Junina, is a traditional Brazilian festival in honor of St. John the Baptist and to give him thanks for the rain. Along with rain, this festival gives the people an opportunity to celebrate other simplistic elements valued by them such as rural life, food, dance, etc. Festa Junina has a carnival-like atmosphere where the people dress in traditional Brazilian costu
8. Harela, Uttarakhand - India
It is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and marks the first day of the monsoon season. This festival is celebrated to symbolize the new harvest and rainy season. Thousands of trees are planted and Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped during this festival.
9. Minjar
The Minjar festival is celebrated in Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh. It is celebrated during the monsoon months of July or August to give thanks to the god of rain and pray for a good harvest. People dress in festive silk clothing and a week-long fair (Minjar-mela) is held which serves as a way to get people together during the celebration.
These monsoon festivals show us that cultures across the globe may seem diverse but remain the same in their values and essence.
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