Asian Geographic - 01.01.2018

April May June

jaPan APr 1 KANAMARA MATSURI The Festival of the Steel Phallus at a local penis- venerating shrine

sOuTh kOrea mAy (TBC) GANGNEUNG DANOJE A shamanistic ritual which pays tribute to the mountain deity with folk songs and masked dramas

Thailand APr 13–15 SONGKRAN The Thai New Year’s festival, known for its vibrant water throwing tradition

malaysia JUN 1–2 GAWAI DAYAK A religious and social event for the Dayak people in Sarawak

china APR 30– MAY 2 SISTERS’ MEAL FESTIVAL Asia’s oldest Valentine’s Day, held on the 15th day of the third lunar month

PakisTan MAY 12–16 CHILAM JOSHI Celebrated by the Kalash people, with men and women meeting at traditional dances

china JUN 16–18 DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL The Duanwu Festival holds dragon boat racing, which dates back some 2,500 years

muslim cOunTries JUN 14–15 EID AL-FITR/HARI RAYA PUASA The festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan

Thailand JUN (TBC) PHI TA KHON FESTIVAL The Ghost Festival, held on the first weekend after the sixth full moon

nePal APR 9–16 BISKET JATRA FESTIVAL Marks the ancient solar Nava Barsha (New Year) at the Bhairab temple

indOnesia APR 18 OMED-OMEDAN “The Kissing Ritual” held by young people in Bali for over 100 years

laOs MAY 4–8 BOUN BANG FAI ROCKET FESTIVAL A rocket-launching competition for the rain gods practised by ethnic Lao people

indOnesia MAY 30– JUN 9 GALUNGAN AND KUNINGAN Celebrating the victory of good over evil, the ancestral spirits return to visit Bali

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