Obon Festival
Japan
Celebrated for more than
500 years, the Obon Festival
is celebrated by Buddhists
to commemorate their
ancestors. Families hang
large lanterns outside their
houses to guide the spirits
home. It is also customary
to clean the grave sites and
offer food to the spirits.
Obon folk dances are
performed throughout this
period; their styles differ
from area to area, and
visitors are invited to join
the throng and dance along.Chabana Festival
Kazakhstan
Held near the Kazakh-
Kyrgyz border area is this
rowdy, three-day event
filled with traditional
Kazakh sports and
delicious food. Note
that the date is not yet
confirmed, but this event
usually takes place in mid-
August. Kazakh and Kyrgyz
herders come together to
make merry in the game of
kyz kuu meaning 'kissing
game'. Men attempt to
steal a kiss from women –
on horseback.“To awaken alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world” – Freya Stark
AUGUST AUGUST
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Esala PeraheraChabana FestivalTBC97