Sunday, November 21, 2010

Loy Kratong Festival!



GVI volunteers had the opportunity to experience one of Thailand's coolest festivals this weekend. Loy Kratong Festival coincides with the November full moon every year. Loy Kratong festival honors the water in
rivers, canals and seas by creating ornate floating devices called "kratongs" from banana tree trunks and leaves and colorful flowers. People also put a piece of fingernail and a strand of hair on their kratong. Throughout the evening of the full moon, families and friends make their way down to local water ways with their kratongs. They light incense and candles in the middle of the kratong and float them down the rivers and canals while making a wish. Tradition has it th-
at if the candle stays lit as the kratong travels out of eyesight, your wish will come true.

A few local librarians from the Ao Luk Non-Formal Education Center, GVI's local partner organization, taught GVI volunteers how to make their very own kratongs. Although it was raining, volunteers braved the downpour and trekked to the temple where they were joined by the Ao-Luk community in releasing their kratongs down the river.

It was a unique and fulfilling cultural experience for all!


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