The Chinese Vegetarian Festival (Graphic)

Finally, I got around to writing up a post about this spectacular, yet bizarre festival. It’s only two months late – but anyways!

So back in early October when we were living in Phuket, we had the opportunity to check out a festival that I’ve always wanted to experience.

The Chinese Vegetarian Festival!

I’m going to try my best and break down what this festival is about, with a little bit of history about its origins for those that are interested.

For those that prefer not to read the post, there’s plenty of pics all the way through the article to give you a visual of what it was like – and a video!

Word of warning though – the video below and some of the images are very graphic!

Right then, with that said, on we go.

His chap definitely looked possessed

His chap definitely looked possessed

The Vegetarian festival that takes place in Phuket is based around the local Chinese community’s belief that not eating meat and other stimulants during the 9th lunar month (October) will bestow good health and peace upon them.

Ouch

Ouch

So it’s called the Chinese Vegetarian Festival, but why is it in Thailand?

chinese vegetarian festival

The reason is because the festival dates back to over 150 years, back when Phuket was populated by Chinese working in tin mines.

Straight through the Jaw

Straight through the Jaw

It must be noted though, that there’s no exact origin for the festival.

When we found out that the festival was taking place in the town of Phuket, we were mad excited.

Florence was a little horrified at first of the idea of witnessing people sticking all sorts of objects through their cheeks.

Slicing the tongue off himself - as you do!

Slicing the tongue off himself – as you do!

On the other hand, I delighted that I had chucked away my Olympus OMD EM5 slr in favour of a sparkling new Nikon D7100!

This kind of photo opportunity was something I wasn’t going to miss, so we did our research about what goes on and what to expect.

chinese vegetarian festival

We knew that two things were guaranteed – lots of fire crackers and lots of blood.

The fire crackers were crazy.

I mean ridiculously loud. We should have gotten ear plugs like everyone else.

The Vegetarian Festival is Phukets biggest and main celebration in the calendar year.

Also known as the “Nine Emperor Gods Festival”, it got it’s Vegetarian name because it the people involved in it only eat vegetarian food throughout the month.

Spit Van Wringle

Spit Van Wringle

The Ten Commandments of the Festival:

1. Abstain from killing animals;

2. Abstain from eating all kinds of meat;

3. Abstain from stealth and embezzlement;

4. Abstain from harming others bodily or mentally;

5. Abstain from telling lies, using obscene language or swearing at people;

6. Abstain from touching people of the opposite sex or talking with them flirtingly;

7. Abstain from taking alcohol or using narcotics;

8. Abstain from gambling;

9. Abstain from wearing ornaments including those made of metals or leather;

10. Abstain from sharing receptacles or utensils or a meal with people who do not observe the commandments.

 

I particularly like the use of words in number 4 myself.

chinese vegetarian festival

The God worshipped at the various shrines in the Jade Emperor. The locals refer to him as the Yok-Ong Songte.

There are Gods that are invoked to rule over the festival, and they’re called Kiu Ong(9 Heavenly Kings).

chinese vegetarian festival

Originally these 9 kings were meant to be Gods of the sun, moon and 7 other bodies.

Flor feeling a slight bit nausiuos

Flor feeling a slight bit nausiuos

However, they are now referred to as 7 Buddhas and 2 Bodhisattvas.

chinese vegetarian festival

The reason why they’ve changed this is because they wanted to give the festival a vibrant Buddhist colour, which would inevitably appeal to a wider audience.

This girl freaked me out with the death stare.

This girl freaked me out with the death stare.

Believe me when I say this, the festival loves cameras and all the media attention it gets!

chinese vegetarian festival

We spent our fair share of time turning up at sunrise to witness the piercings, following the parade around and generally just having a good time.

The piercings themselves were crazy. Some of the participants seemed like they were possessed.

Sliced right open

Sliced right open

While others just tried to look and act possessed.

Some of them bled profusely, while others didn’t shed a single drop.

Mr. Lip

Mr. Lip

We were told by some local man that it’s easy to spot who’s really genuine by whether or not they bled.

I’ve no other knowledge of the festival, but I seriously doubt that’s a sign to look out for.

Hatching the head off himself this one was

Hatching the head off himself this one was

Apart from piercings and parades, there’s other “events”.

Two other rituals that we went to watch were the fire-walking and blade ladder climbing ceremony.

Fire walking ceremony

Fire walking ceremony

They were as crazy as they sound and exactly as you would image.

chinese vegetarian festival

I don’t need to explain what goes on at these – I’m sure they’re self explanatory.

This man seemed angry that he put a metal bar through his cheek.

This man seemed angry that he put a metal bar through his cheek.

However, these two events weren’t nearly as freakish to us as the piercings.

Possessed or faking it?

Possessed or faking it?

Some of the participants ran like scared cats over the burning coals, while others simply strolled across – and deservedly got an applause from the crowd.

Chinese Vegetarian Festival-1506-67

During the 2012 Vegetarian Festival we heard that a man was killed during his ladder climbing attempt, but again I’ve no idea if it was true.

These stories might be made up to further magnify the whole experience by the locals participating and their families.

Enlightlement?

Enlightlement?

At the end of the 9 days I was glad that I’d taken the time to fully experience the festival. It was something that I definitely wanted to see first hand.

Lets jam 2 unbrellas into my mouth!

Lets jam 2 umbrellas into my mouth!

If you ever find yourself in Phuket around Oct, then I highly recommend you experience the Chinese Vegetarian Festival in Phuket town.

This chap went through pain(going by his screams)

This chap went through pain(going by his screams)

It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before, but if you’re squeamish, then I think it might be best to avoid.

...the pain is coming....

…the pain is coming….

The photo opportunities that it presents with the fireworks, firecrackers and red and white colours make it a fascinating spectacle.

Chinese Vegetarian Festival-1489-65

With over 2,000 photos alone from the 9 days, I had a nice few hours filtering through them – not to mention the video footage!

So the ones I’ve included here are some of my personal favourites.

Have you ever been to something like this before? Would love to hear about your experiences if you did 🙂

If you found this post useful then I would appreciate a share on facebook or a tweet about it 🙂 Thanks