The fluvial procession that takes place during the waxing of the moon until three days after the full moon of Thadingyut (from September to October) and takes these images around the stilted villages of Inle Lake is the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival. It is widely attended by thousands of devotees from the Shan state and around country. Because of Burma’s isolation in recent years, the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is one of Southeast Asian festivals that mirror the people’s authentic celebration of their faith and local culture, an apt and colorful introduction to any travel to Myanmar.

The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival 2013 will start on October 5 and end on October 22.

Fluvial Parade of Gold-Leaf Covered Images of Buddha

On the occasion of the festival, four out of five Buddha images are taken out of the pagoda for a fluvial procession. The fifth image is left behind to guard their resting places in the pagoda.

Each of the four images are placed on elaborate pagoda replicas aboard a barge that looks like a mystical goose or swan.

These elaborate barges are then towed by boatloads of famous Inle Lake leg-rowers in a clockwise fashion along the shores of the lake, making an impressive spectacle by the sheer immensity of the procession and the ornately decorated vessels. The gold-leaf covered images – which are themselves made of pure gold and very heavy – usually make lunch stops and even stay the night at the main temple of the villages along the shores of Inle Lake to allow people to pay homage to these holiest of Buddha images. The entire procession takes 18 days to complete.

Unique Boat Races of Leg-Rowers

The procession concludes as the images arrive back at the Phaung Daw Oo Monastery and received by a Myanmar government official (a role taken by a Shan royalty in the past). Many pilgrims travel far and wide to venerate these images as they arrive, but only male worshippers are allowed to cover the Buddha with gold leaf.

The last day of the festival is also celebrated with boat races near the home pagoda and participated by both men and women in their traditional costumes. These boat races are unique because rowers use their legs to propel the boat, much in the same way they do when they are out fishing in Inle Lake.

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The Krakatoa (misspelled by the British from “Krakatua”) was a massive volcano found in the Sunda Strait, between the Java and Sumatran islands of Indonesia. It violently blew off its top in the 1883 explosion, and left behind a collapsed cone named “Anak Krakatoa” (child of Krakatoa) which today draws immense crowds. Ironically, the same volcano which could, anytime, spit and bubble volcanic matter is not only a tourist gem, but also an object of celebration of the local cultures that were once wiped out in the aftermath of the explosion.

The Krakatoa Festival 2013 will be held on August 25 until August 26.

Lampung Mask Carnival and Elephant Processions

While the Krakatoa Festival commemorates the destructive power of the volcano, it also does a superb job of putting together local customs and traditions – not to mention food – on display worthy of a decent side trip from Jakarta or Bali.

The Krakatoa Festival lasts for 10 days showcasing village girls in colorful and even over-the-top costumes. The participants wear the famous Lampung (hideous) masks which are in stark contrast to the beautiful costumes worn by participants. The parades are accompanied by music and dancing and, unique in this part of Southeast Asia, even elephant performances.

The festival is also an opportunity for local artists, artisans and craftsmen to exhibit and sell their work, and food-loving tourists to sample Sumatran and Javan cuisines. There are plenty of games for children and adults alike, like kite-flying, boat racing, paragliding, motor-biking, and running.There are also music festivals, talent shows, ethnic graffiti contests, painting exhibitions and photography competition.

Towards the end of the festival, the celebrations take place in the actual remnant of the volcano itself. Those who participate in the street parades will be taken from the shores of Lampung to the foot – and even hillsides – of Anak Krakatoa if deemed safe by local authorities (since the area is an active volcano). If you are planning to see Anak Krakatoa and enjoy a celebratory atmosphere, attending the festival is the best way to do it.

Lampung Culinary Bazaar and Tapis Fabric Carnival

The Krakatoa Festival is a major celebration of the Lampung province in southern Sumatra. As such, the people and the local regency take this opportunity to showcase other aspects of their culture apart from the famous Anak Krakatoa.

The culinary bazaar during the festival would let you sample typical Lampung fares like “seruit,” river fishes that are fried or baked and eaten with shrimp paste, processed durian or mango, and rice; “kemplang” or fish crackers; and “pindang Lampung” a spicy, yellow-colored broth.

Lampung is also known for its rich weaving history until the industry was wiped out by the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Today, the fabric industry is slowly rebuilt with the Tapis Fabric Carnival, and once again Lampung designs come to mainstream attention. Because of their deft weaving techniques, particularly the peoples of Kalianda Bay, Lampung textiles are highly prized collectible items. You can score cloths that were only once intended for the aristocracy during the Tapis Carnival.

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An artistic extravaganza that comes alive after-hours, the Singapore Night Festival features art forms and installations that are fresh, novel and even daredevil.

Set in Singapore’s heritage district of Bras Basah and Bugis, the festival is led by none other than the keeper of the country’s history and heritage, the National Museum of Singapore. Participated by various artists from around the world that somersault, sing, dance and beat percussions, the Singapore Night Festival, started only in 2008, is one great excuse to stay up late when you come visit.

The Singapore Night Festival 2013 will be held on the weekends of August 23 and August 31.

Here’s a photo primer on what awaits.

The National Museum of Singapore, the country’s oldest whose history dates back to early 19th century, is the main organizer of this festival, bringing to fore the country’s heritage and history through various artistic and cultural events in collaboration with local and international partners in the field of arts, music and theater. During the Night Festival, the NMS facade is transformed into a palette upon whose surface artists project mesmerizing lights.

Light installation is a novel art form that uses video projection on unlikely surfaces, in this case, the Singapore Art Museum building itself. The organizers invited light installation artists from France to visually stimulate the audience with mesmerizing effects.

Giant “eyeballs” stare back at you from the NMS facade, a visual effect achieved by installing parabolic devices and projecting upon them swirling patterns reminiscent of items as commonplace as, well, eyeballs.

Innovation is a recurrent theme in Singapore Night Festival, and what better way to express creativity than to repurpose discarded items and give them another lease on life as “fish” on a tree?

Singapore won’t be Singapore without infused Chinese elements such as the ubiquitous dragon. This red giant “monster” is an auspicious element in Chinese tradition and an icon paraded prominently during the Chinese New Year.

If the Chinese have their dragons, the Indians have their dance. (Ever wonder why every Bollywood movie is inundated with sing-and-dance performances?) Dance, to Hindu devotees, is a form of worship; “bhangra” is a Punjabi-style of seasonal dance performed during harvest.

During the Rio Carnival in Brazil, “blocos” or neighborhood bands participate in citywide concerts that happen simultaneously while dancers do the samba at the Sambadrome. Singapore’s take on “blocos” may not be as grand, but it is a fun way to get together with neighborhood girls and boys and make some noise.

Literally “brute force,” Fuerzabruta has been gracing the Night Festival since its inception, with dancers contorting into difficult positions while suspended in mid-air.

Busking, or the act of performing on streets for free or for a token (like coins tossed in a hat), has been performed by a number of notable music legends when they were just starting out. The Singapore Night Festival is an excellent venue to test the musical waters by busking along Bras Basah Road to a receptive audience eager to hear novel sounds.

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Not to be confused with River Hong Bao, the Singapore River Festival celebrates Singapore’s waterways and waterfronts and their role in shaping the Singaporean history, culture, psyche and economy (the former celebrates Chinese New Year). Started in 2008, the festival is abloom with fluvial parades in major waterways that are part of the Singapore River.

Businesses and stakeholders in Empress Place and Clarke, Boat and Robertson Quays wanted to drum up business in the area, and the resulting success in its first year called for a comeback that has become even more spectacular through the years.

The core event centers around dazzling aerial-aquatic acrobatics and larger-than-life choreography that depict the river as source of life and the continuity it brings between the past and present, dream and reality. Over-the-river productions include illusions performed by magicians from around the world, stunts and light shows that delight spectators watching from the banks of Singapore River. All around the other quays, there are also simultaneous performances and musical and dance numbers that thrill spectators of any age.

In its early years, the festival was scheduled in June. Last year saw the festival held in September. Below is a photo primer on what you can expect from Singapore River Festival 2013.

The Read Bridge connects Clarke Quay and Riverside Point. This beam-structured bridge was completed in late 19th century, and is now mainly used by pedestrians and bicycles after having undergone several modifications. The Read Bridge is also where wire-rigged artists perform on and above the river for aerial shows.

Bumboats were very useful during the days when ships were moored away from the port and in deeper waters, and even continue to be useful today where big ships cannot get into smaller waterways. As an entrepot, Singapore exploited the capabilities of bumboats to carry supplies and provisions to and from bigger ships which facilitated a lively exchange of goods – and people – from far near and far away. Now as a bustling tourist region, Singapore still finds the vessel useful, but this time to ferry passengers on river cruises.

The banks of Singapore River come alive with neon lights strung on river steps. Cruising along the river during the festival comes with a twist, an experience that avid pub goers will certainly delight in: Pub-hopping on a river cruise is promoted during the festival.

This vehicular bridge is where you want to stand to take in “full frontal” Singapore’s skyline. Historically, this is the first bridge that spanned the Singapore River, connecting the Chinese merchants in its south and the Indian settlers in the north. It is said to be the (foot)bridge when Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in 1819. Today, Elgin Bridge connects the Downtown Core to the Central Area.

Clarke Quay used to be lined with historic warehouses that have seen the passage of time. Now, it has been rebuilt – more specifically, “gentrified” – to provide open air entertainment, wining and dining venues to Singaporeans who would like to unwind after-hours. During the festival, Clarke Quay is the center of food, fashion and parties.

Singapore can certainly be enjoyed on foot in various walking tours, but the fastest way to take in the city sights without much effort is to just hop onto bumboats that offer river cruises. This tradition is not only celebrated during the Singapore River Festival, but is done on a daily basis by the hordes of tourists eager to enjoy Singapore’s waterways and see the highlights while kicking back to relax.

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People Power

To encourage and increase civilian participation, various seminars, exhibits and open discussions are conducted across the country to promote the people’s understanding of what a democratic society is all about. After all, the Siamese (the ancient Thais) have been ruled for centuries by minor monarchs who came from various kingdoms that now make the provinces of Thailand. Participation on these affairs allows common Thais to understand better rights that have been granted to them by the constitution.

In celebration of this milestone in the country’s history, government offices, schools, businesses and historic edifices are adorned with the blue, white and red of Thai flags and portraits of Thai kings. The people take to the streets during the day, to participate in civic parades, listen to speeches by key government officials, and watch their country’s military power in full regalia.

This year, the Constitution Day 2016 falls on Saturday, the holiday will be observed on the following Monday – 12 December 2016 (Monday) – Constitution Day (Substitution).

An Inexperienced Ruler Caused the End of Absolute Monarchy

Rama VII, popularly known as King Prajadhipok, was seen as too young and inadequate to lead the country as a monarch. As a result, a coalition between Thailand intellectuals and the military known as the People’s Party led a bloodless coup against the reigning king, ultimately ending in the establishment of a provisional constitution that transferred the political power to the people of Siam and allowed them to overturn the king’s veto.

This, however, has not diminished the stature of the monarch, as the present ruling king is still deeply revered by his people, and Thailand still has the world’s toughest “lese majeste”, or law that protects the king and his family from being maligned, verbally or otherwise.

In fact, on any national occasion, the monarchy still figures largely, be it portraits hung on buildings during the King’s birthday, or civic occasions like this when the monarch’s color (yellow) dominates the festivities.

The Constitution and the Monarchy

When Thailand’s constitution was signed by Rama VII on December 10, 1932, he may have transferred the bulk of his power from the monarchy to the people, but he still remains the Head of State and the Head of the Armed Forces. This power also crosses over to the realm of the religious, as subsequent ruling monarchs have been given power to uphold all religions, despite the monarchy’s – and the country’s – thousands-year-long devotion to Theravada Buddhism.

This does not mean, however, that the king has the last say in all matters of Thai politics. His veto can still be overruled by a vote of the parliament which represents the people.

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Christian Origins

The most accepted and widely recognized origin of the the Christmas holiday centers on the birth of the man the Christians recognize as the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The books of Luke and Matthew tell how a young woman named Mary received word from an angel that she was to conceive and give birth to Jesus. Her fiance, Joseph the carpenter, was a native of Bethlehem and just shortly before she was to give birth, the couple traveled there to participate in a census. Unfortunately, all the rooms in the inn were filled, so the couple took refuge in a table where Mary went into labor.

Both gospels also talked about the people to who came to visit the baby. Luke spoke of humble shepherds who were led to there by an angel. Matthew told of wise men or kings who followed a bright star and gifted Jesus with frankincense and myrrh. Further accounts in Matthew’s book tell of the family feeling to Egypt to escape King Herod’s plans of killing Jesus.

While the real date of Christ’s birth is highly debatable, its current date has been widely accepted and internationally recognized as Christmas day.

Widespread Christian Practices

Christians share similar practices across the world. Many of the faithful start Christmas by attending mass or service, and the celebration is highly religious in many ways. Tableaus depicting the first Christmas are presented, and are a popular centerpiece for many Christmas shows in schools and churches. Nearly everywhere, however, Christmas is a time for gathering with friends, family and the community.

International celebration

Christmas is a major and public holiday in many countries around the world. It is celebrated not just by Christians, but also by people from different faiths. In some countries where there are a small population of Christians, many secular elements of the holiday have been adapted including decorating homes, Christmas trees, gift-giving and iconic figures giving these gifts, one of which is Santa Claus. It is even in places where the population is highly non-Christian. Only a few countries do not hold Christmas as a public holiday including China (Hong Kong and Macao are excluded), Japan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

Traditions

When it comes to Christmas, there are certain practices that are common across cultures and faiths. During Christmas, people take time to give each other gifts. Others opt to give out Christmas cards and often these include short missives of how the family has fared in the past year. Homes and establishments are decorated with many symbols that originate from different cultures. Even in countries that typically do not grow pine or have snow or chimneys will have Christmas trees and Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus.

Food Fest

The biggest tradition of all is the gathering of family and friends to participate in a feast. Traditionally, a big dinner is held on Christmas Eve, but some hold it on Christmas Day. Depending on the country and the culture, food varies as well. However, some dishes do cross countries, particularly if one has migrated to a new country and brings with them a taste of home. Expect to have dishes of chicken or turkey, roasted beef or ham, wassail, eggnog, cheese and other gastronomical delights.

Southeast Asia Christmas

While there are many Christians in most Asian countries, not all of them of them recognize it as a public holiday. Take for instance the different Southeast Asian countries and how they uniquely celebrate Christmas. Still, this does not stop them from joining in the festivities, adapting the holiday to fit their own cultures and customs. Like in other parts of the world, it is considered to be one of the most colorful holidays each year.

Ancient Holiday

However, history shows that celebrations during mid-winter has been a long-time tradition of many cultures around the world long before the coming of Jesus Christ. Often, this celebration falls on the winter solstice and marks the end of the darkest day of winter and the coming of brighter days. Similar celebrations are held all across Europe and countries that experience cold weather during these months.

Christmas has truly morphed into an international holiday. These days, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place that doesn’t have something that symbolized Christmas. However, it isn’t just about the commemoration of Christ’s birth. Christmas has become the season for people to be more generous and caring, and allows people time to reflect upon the blessings and challenges of the past year.

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Malaysia Airlines wanted to take advantage of the strong economic growth of the Asia Pacific market, and hopes to attract more visitors from the European segment. This is in line with the Malaysian government’s plan to increase visitors from Europe, particularly from the United Kingdom, starting this year. The government has also expressed its desire to increase Chinese visitors, as year-on-year trend shows that Malaysia is getting mainstream attention from travelers originating from the Middle Kingdom.

The main focus for the airline this year, however, is to service the robust market of budget travelers looking for value for money. Passengers could expect fuel-efficient aircrafts, more comfortable seating, and competitive airfares.

For business class travelers flying the Europe-Australasia route, chef-on-call options have been widened for KL-Amsterdam, KL-Frankfurt, KL-London, KL-Paris and KL-Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Auckland) passengers.

Kuala Lumpur is definitely the tourist central as it is the gateway to the rest of 13 Malaysian states and three federal territories, but adventurers have far more sights to see than the extremely conspicuous Petronas Twin Towers. KL may also be the shopping district for the cheapest bargains to be had in Malaysia, but Langkawi also tantalizes the shopaholic in equal measure.

Farther afield, there is Sabah in East Malaysia, famous for its achingly dramatic sunsets and the wildly abundant marine life off the Sipadan Coast. Since Sabah is right on the northern tip of the Bornean landmass, travelers flying in from KL can cross the land border to Indonesia via East Kalimantan. The oldest rainforests in the world await the intrepid cross-country wanderer, not to mention the added bonus to encounter up close the endangered orangutans.

For the lover of heritage, there is George Town, Penang’s UNESCO World Heritage pride, renowned for its street cuisine and colonial architecture. The geeks of the world find Penang not only conducive to doing IT business, but also to combining work and play without missing a beat.

Luxurious Langkawi right by the Thai border beckons with duty-free retail therapy, traditional Malay homes nestled in vast coconut plantations, and posh resorts cocooned in isolated bays.

There are plenty more destinations to fly to in a hurry, and some that are seemingly impossible to get to. With Malaysia Airlines ferrying in more passengers from outside the country, expect that domestic airport hopping will also pick up pace to make once hard-to-reach places more prominent on a traveler’s itinerary.

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As the descendant of the Chakri dynasty whose forebears united Thailand after various incursions by competing kingdoms, King Bhumibol is revered and deeply adored by the people. The Thais’ regard for their king is best displayed on the occasion of his birthday, one of the most important events in the country.

The King’s Birthday 2013 will be celebrated on Thursday, December 5. His Majesty will be 86 this year.

All (Yellow) Roads Lead to Bangkok

Rama I, King Bhumibol’s ancestor, established the capital of Siam (ancient Thailand) on the banks of the Chao Phraya River to protect the Thai people from further invasion. The new capital came to be known as “Krung Thep” (Bangkok), and it is but proper that the seat of the royalty be established here.

On December 5, the Grand Palace will teem with adoring royalists who eagerly await for an audience with the king. He usually appears for a brief speech, calling on all Thais to unite amidst the impending division that threatens Thailand in light of the future of the monarchy. (The king’s health has sharply declined after suffering from a minor brain bleed, and his heir-apparent, his only son Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, is rumored to be associated with the deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra whose policies threatened the royalists’ position in the government.)

Ratchadamnoen Road will be closed for vehicular traffic until the evening to give way to pedestrians. Tourists who want to take part in the celebrations will not miss the marigold-paved road along Ratchadamnoen. To show their support for the royalty, Thais wear yellow shirts and bring with them Thai flags and flags with the king’s insignia to be waved when the king appears from the Anantasamakom Throne Hall. Royalists hold up portraits of King Bhumibol and chant “Long Live the King!” to show their devotion to the reigning monarch.

Of Candles, Fireworks and Portraits of the King

All around the country, government offices, business establishments, schools and homes will be clothed in yellow, the color associated with the king’s reign. Yellow buntings will be put up, Thai flags will be hoisted, and the portraits of the king will grace every building as a sign of the people’s reverence to their beloved monarch.

During the king’s birthday, the Grand Palace glows with hundreds of thousands of candles as the capital leads the country in a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony.

To end the celebrations, an extravagant fireworks display will light up Bangkok’s already blazing nightlife.

Cultural Celebrations in Sanam Luang

Outside of the Grand Palace, cultural performances and musical acts are typically held in Sanam Luang, which also will be heavy with foot traffic until the evening.

The evening candle-lighting ceremony also takes place here as it does in the Grand Palace, and the whole country joins as similar celebrations take place in major capitals of other provinces, like Chiang Mai and Phuket.

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Wreath Laying on the Royal Equestrian Statue in Dusit

To commemorate King Rama V and honor his contributions to Thailand’s modernization, Chulalongkorn Day is celebrated as a public holiday on the anniversary of his death.

This year, Chulalongkorn Day 2013 falls on Wednesday.

Thais gather around the Royal Equestrian Statue of Chulalongkorn in Dusit District, Bangkok, to place wreaths and commemorative images of the King. Garlands are hung on the statue, while Thai flags and royal emblems are flown alongside the statue.

General business and commerce remains open on Chulalongkorn Day, but schools, government offices and non-commercial institutions are closed on this public holiday. Because employees are given time off, expect that local getaways like Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Krabi, Phuket and Koh Samed, and even Kanchanaburi, will be crowded with “weekend warriors”, leaving the majority of Bangkok crowd-free save for official ceremonies that are held in memorials erected to honor the king.

The Modern King

His exposure and willingness to embrace outside perspectives also enabled him to enact laws that abolished slavery, having learned of what the United States (at the time embroiled in Civil War) had to go through to sow the seeds of democracy. His extensive travels to British colonies, particularly to Indian provinces, led him to create reforms in administration, divvying up Siam (ancient name of Thailand) into provincial units overseen by “intendants.”

His Western exposure also convinced him to initiate measures to open up the country to postal and telegraph services, and to construct communication and railways systems that connected Bangkok and Ayutthaya. Because he was tutored in the workings of Western diplomacy, he was able to implement policies that allowed symbiotic relations with the West while resisting its expansionism. As a result, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that was never colonized by a Western power.

The Royal Equestrian Statue of Chulalongkorn was erected in celebration of his 40th year of reign. Two years later, on October 23, 1910, the King died of kidney disease despite repeated treatments he received in Europe.

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Unless you are from south Zanzibar, then you probably would end up in jail hitting someone hard with a banana stalk as an expression of taking out grudges and starting the year on a clean slate. Americans are familiar with the concept of spring cleaning, but government sanctioned “violence” is certainly not part of it.

Every year, around the third week of July, the people of Makunduchi in southeastern Zanzibar exorcise all evil spirits and carry on their age-old tradition of ritualized aggression to celebrate the end of the old growing season and the beginning of spring. The date coincides with “Nairuz” or the Persian New Year, although the event itself predates the arrival of Shirazi immigrants who were the first foreign settlers in this part of Africa.

Mwaka Kogwa 2013 will take place from July 15 until July 21.

It All Starts With a (Mock) Fight

Seeing out the old year and welcoming the new starts with a feast and ends with a gift, or in whatever sequence feels comfortable to households following the western way of celebrating New Year. In Makunduchi, where Mwaka Kogwa is elaborately celebrated in full color and enthusiasm, the first day of Nairuz starts with taking out emotional trash and dumping it to the neighbor.

At 11AM on the first day of Mwaka Kogwa, two brothers from the south of Makunduchi challenge two brothers from the north in a central wide open space called Kae Kuu. There are no set rules that govern the mock fight and certainly there is no referee to stop a below-the-belt hit.

The representatives of both ends of the town are eventually joined by their brethren and supporters, and then the ritual becomes a free-for-all, out and out brawl, except that no one really gets injured. The banana stalks split upon contact, and when a participant has had enough of beating and being beaten, or couldn’t find an unscathed “weapon” in sight, he can just raise his hands and surrender. (In the past, real sticks and cudgels, the ones that really, hurt, were used.)

Life, Love and Titillating Taunts by the Women of Makunduchi

While the men are testosterone-fuelled in the thick of the action, the women, dressed in their best, sing songs of love and village life. The songs are in Swahili, and are often sexually nuanced as they are directed to men. One example would be “buy me a pair of khanga (traditional piece of cloth) and you can make love to me.” Of course, the titillating context of the song is lost in translation.

To which the men, with their “weapons” held over their heads, would reply to in unison, “We don’t want you anymore. We like town women better whom we can get wherever we go” or something to that effect (again, the provocative context of the reply is lost in translation). This sultry exchange of taunts has only recently started, but certainly adds a spicier dimension to an otherwise one-sided verbal fight.

A Hut, A Priest and A Fire

When everyone has had their chance to air out their grievances or are physically exhausted, another ritual commences. The people would build a thatched hut on the eastern side of the Kae Kuu, and then a local priest would enter the hut and burn it. While the hut is ablaze, he would escape the structure unscathed and hide in a bush. He would then come out to divine the coming year’s fortunes depending on the direction of the smoke. Then the community would extinguish the flames by throwing earth and stone on the blazing hut. The Makunduchi believe that all evil spirits that might cause harm using this element would not claim a life with it.

A Banquet and Public Dance

A feast is held later in the day when the rituals have been performed. The Makunduchi share a banquet not only among themselves but most especially with every guest who may have strayed in their village during the celebrations. Travelers who may only be passing through the village are morally mandated to participate in this banquet because the villagers believe that a household with no guest is going to be unhappy in the coming year.

At night, the Makunduchi villagers put on their finest clothes and rejoin everyone in a “koba” for a traditional public dance.

Watch how “the year is washed” (Mwaka Kogwa’s literal meaning) by the people of Makunduchi.

By settling scores of the previous year and channeling pent-up emotions and fantasies in a friendly banana-stalk fight, the Swahili start the Shiraz (Persian New Year) on a clean slate.

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Mud madness this year starts on July 19 and concludes on July 28.

It’s a Mud World Out There

A country can’t grow much in a vast expanse of mud. Instead of pushing for agriculture that might not be as lucrative, enterprising South Koreans thought of marketing mud cosmetics and making them more appetizing especially to Western residents who work in South Korea. The result is one big mud festival that is the most internally attended of South Korea’s biggest festivals.

The festival kicks off on the third week of July, but it is during the final weekend that the “mud-ness” reaches a frenzied peak.

The two-week-long festivities open with a good helping of mud dancing and percussion and extravagant fireworks. Truckloads of Boryeong mud are dug from the mud flats and dumped into the Daecheon Beach, a 10-kilometer-long tidal flat on the west coast of Boryeong which becomes the “Mud Experience Land” for these two weeks in summer. But it’s not just all mud, as the Daecheon Beach is just as excellent and, unlike the mud, clean for swimming.

Much Ado About Mud

There are plenty of activities that go beyond wallowing in mud pools and pulling a solitary mud self-massage. Certainly, a lot of other activities are more physical than mud marathons.

Mud slides are made for all ages, while mud wrestling events are geared for the more adventurous. The artistic can join colored mud body painting contest, while the architecturally creative can put up mud creations for the sculpture contest.

For the really intrepid, there are mud skiing competitions, Mudflat obstacle relays, and mud futsal. Of course, the children are not left out, and are installed their own Kid’s mud land. There’s also a mud prison for those who want to serve (mock) jail time.

A mud fountain is also erected for those seeking eternal youth. After all, that’s what facials and body wraps are for, and here, you can get them all for free and for as often as you like in the stretch of two weeks.

Boryeong Mud Festival, despite its moniker, offers good clean fun. Certainly, beach parties and loud music go on all day and night, but there is practically fun for everyone. Street parades, cultural performances, concerts and fantastic fireworks display round up the festivities and make for entertaining digressions if mud starts to look drab and gray.

History of Boryeong Mud Festival

Attracting more than 2 million international visitors a year, the Boryeong Mud Festival is to South Korea as La Tomatina is to Spain. Both are opportunities to make a mess of oneself and suspend reasonable thought for a moment to simply just have fun. But unlike the La Tomatina Festival (which just spontaneously rose out of a vegetable-throwing incident), the Boryeong Mud Festival arose from a necessity to market Boryeong mud cosmetics that are said to contain essential minerals for better skin health.

Indeed, a large assortment of mud products are sold at the festival: mud body cleansers, mud packs, shampoos, sun block lotion, cleansing cream are packaged for retail consumption. They don’t come cheap, however, so if you want to get all the benefits of Boryeong mud and then some, get down and dirty and pack away a good helping for use at home if you don’t mind to pay extra luggage.

For the Boryeong Mud Festival video:

Here’s how festival revelers get wet, wild and dirty!

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Below is the United Arab Emirates public holidays 2013.

New Year’s Day – Tuesday, 1 January 2013
As an oasis of Western influences in the deserts of the Arabian peninsula, UAE celebrates the start of the Gregorian New Year in a scale far more spectacular than the Times Square or the Eiffel Tower. Burj Khalifa puts on a cosmic display of fireworks that speak of the country’s massive petro dollars and domination ambition. The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, the country’s capital, is a jewel in its own light as the clock strikes midnight. Revelers may want to go to Jumeirah Beach on the shores of Dubai to see the lavish light shows all at once.

The Prophet’s Birthday – Thursday, 24 January 2013
The birth of the Prophet Muhammad is commemorated in low-key ceremonies across all mosques in the country, the largest gathering of which is in the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi. After the “isha” prayer has been offered, the devout spend time with the family and reflect on their life and on the teachings that Muhammad imparted. In Abu Dhabi, neighborhoods cook and prepare meals for the less fortunate.

Israa and Miraj night – Thursday, 6 June 2013
This day marks the night journey that Prophet Muhammad undertook and his eventual ascension to the heavens. Muslims commemorate this day by attending prayer gatherings at mosques or fasting and prayer in their homes late into the night.

Eid Al Fitr – Thursday, 8 August 2013
The end of Ramadan in Muslim majority countries is always welcomed with great feasts and festive celebrations that make up for the previous month’s daylight fasting. The first day of Eid Al Fitr is marked with a dawn prayer at mosques followed by the Eid prayer which is performed outdoors. The rest of the day is spent celebrating with the family and partaking in lavish banquets, with children receiving gifts from their elders and couples spending the day in the homes of their parents. While offices of federal ministries, public departments and institutions are closed for the duration of this Eid, malls and entertainment centers, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, extend their regular hours. Increasingly, Dubai residents enjoy Western-influenced celebrations like carnivals and mascot parades while visitors to Dubai are welcomed on this day in hospitality tents to enjoy coffee, dates and the traditional henna painting.

Arafat Day – Monday, 14 October 2013
The Hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, coincides with the start of the Feast of Sacrifice or Eid Al Adha. The second day of this pilgrimage is celebrated in UAE as the Day of Arafa. Those who make the pilgrimage would have arrived in the plains of Mount Arafat on this day. Pilgrims spend the day supplicating from Allah and asking for his forgiveness in commemoration of the day when the Prophet rendered his final sermon on this mount. After sunset, the pilgrims move on to Muzdalifah to pray and collect pebbles for their next Hajj. For non-pilgrims, this day is spent fasting during daylight hours and praying well into the night.

Eid Al Adha – Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Anywhere else in the Muslim world, Eid Al Adha is traditionally celebrated with ritual killings of four-hooved animals in remembrance of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at the command of Allah. But in Dubai, Eid Al Adha is celebrated with a very festive mood that attracts shoppers of all religious backgrounds who happen to be here during the festivities. Fireworks to welcome Eid in Dubai light up the city at night, while mosques across Dubai give away treats to people who come to pray.

Hijri or Islamic New Year – Monday, 4 November 2013
The Islamic New Year begins on the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar which is a few days’ short of its Gregorian counterpart. This day also marked the emigration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. In UAE, fasting is observed in daylight hours, and the devout flock to mosques on this day to reflect on the significance of Prophet Muhammad’s journey. In Dubai, families take advantage of this non-working holiday to spend time together to enjoy heritage festivities as well as outdoor entertainments and adventures in theme parks and entertainment centers.

National Day – Monday to Tuesday, 2 to 3 December 2013
Before December 1, 1971, UAE is composed of seven principalities headed by “emirs” which were once under the British protectorate until the latter agreed to a nationalization treaty that eventually united the emirates and established one country. To celebrate this historic milestone, Emiratis throw the grandest secular (non-Islamic) party that can only be “tolerated” in the confluence of Western influences. The town is literally painted in red, black, white and green on the occasion of National Day and UAE flags of all sizes fly free and proud almost everywhere. An impressive lineup of events delights both residents, expatriates and visitors alike, starting with Union Car parades, Khaleeji concerts, air shows, traditional markets, cultural performances, regattas, falconry competitions, art festivals and exhibitions and, the most breathtaking of all, lavish fireworks in a scale that are yet to be matched in the Arabian peninsula. The celebrations are declared public holidays for only two days, but the National Day is in fact celebrated as a weeklong event that starts at the end of another weeklong festival, the Emirates International Date Palm Festival which occurs in late November.

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