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Buddhist festival music and fireworks

About this recording

Creator
Kristin Post
Date created
September 27, 2000
Duration
0:55
Location
Trang, Thailand
File
MP3
License
This recording copyright ©2000. Terms of use

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Part of a ten day vegetarian festival in Trang, Thailand. This is an evening event held at the temple that acts as a fundraiser and opportunity for people to get together. At the beginning of this recording, you can hear Hans from Netherlands explaining what is going on. Underneath is the music building to the crescendo.

From my journal:

People have to sit on newspapers because it’s raining. Has school assembly sort of feel. Everyone is wearing the same thing, standing in groups, chatting. then one “bride” comes out shaking her head. In the middle of the courtyard is a “shelter” where a fire is going in a pot, and somebody periodically waves green leaves through it. Everyone has incense sticks- two feet long.

Back to the “bride.” Then more brides. Then shaking boys- hard to see. Then fireworks, which had been wrapped around 12 foot poles. Then hang the candle on the bamboo. Music, drumming. More people fill courtyard. Once candles are up, can’t help but feel like the big one is gonna happen.

Big one is huge. To have so many fireworks going off at the same time, making a body-shaking racket and sparks everywhere. It’s a stunning experience. Especially when one pole falls, and when big fireworks go off, people have to run away. Just the way the flames would burst (with sound) was awe-inspiring. But annoyingly loud.

The people in the middle (courtyard) are huddled together, flags used to protect [themselves] from sparks. Have to light some poles that went out. Then it’s over. People stream out. Incense bonfire. Some people still in trance, dispensing blessings. Must kneel down or “wai” before them.

Transcript

Now they take the light up to the bamboo.