I came across this last weekend unexpectedly. I have always wanted to witness this since I saw it in a tourist brochure when we just arrived in Singapore. All I know is that this is an Indian Festival called Thaipusam luckily I learned more about it by reading Eastcoastlife’s post. This reminds me of what Filipinos do during good Friday where devotees re enact Jesus’s sufferings by getting themselves nailed and crucified.
With Thaipusam, devotees pierced their face and bodies with spikes and metal hooks supporting heavy structures called kavadis decorated with peacock feathers and offerings.
Friends and families walk with the devotees to support them in this endeavor.
The weight of the things they are carrying is about 10 kilos and they walk barefoot for about 4 km according to one devotee I have spoken to.
I was surprised to see a Chinese participant,
A white guy – I am not sure where he is from though.
…. and you have a woman devotee too. Women and children carries pots like the one you see below as of symbol of milk.
It was amazing to have witnessed this event. We didn’t actually knew about this but I am glad we saw it on the way home. The atmosphere was just great – everybody was really into what they were doing.
wordless wednesday
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i don’t think “ouch” is enough to describe it!
@ miss igorota – LOL! I totally agree with you;)
I MISSED OUT ON THIS! A TAXI DRIVER TOLD US ABOUT IT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE THAIPUSAM. BUT WE COULDN’T GO AS WE HAD TO ATTEND A BIRTHDAY PARTY. HUBBY AND MY MOM IN LAW ARE VERY KEEN ON THIS EXTRAORDINARY FESTIVAL. WELL, PERHAPS NEXT YEAR. ECL MENTIONED IN HER BLOG THAT THERE WASN’T ANY BLOOD WHEN THE METALLIC SPEAR WAS REMOVED FROM THE DEVOTEE’S BODY. HOW AMAZING.
Angie R’s last blog post..Good Bye, Chinese New Year!
@ Angie R – It is truly amazing but we were so tired already from walking at the botanic gardens before that. We weren’t able to see the taking out of spikes.
eww. those pictures are rather disturbing. lol.
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@ den – LOL yeah you can look at it that way too! There was even a child participating in this.
I ‘ve ssen this on documentries on TV in England when I lived there. It must be quite a culture shock to many who witness this in person. Like any festival or celebration they seem to excel in the enjoyment ‘stakes’ Excuse the pun.
martin in bulgaria’s last blog post..Jogging ands Cycling in Towns and Villages Respectively
That must hurt so bad!!!
I can never imagine what they are going through. The closest experience (which is not even near to anything like this) I had was walking through burning coals; nothing more. Actually this festival reminds me of something which I heard of in Philippines when I was there, but I can’t remember exactly what the event is about already.
BK’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Dog’s Day Out at the Beach
That really hurts!!
I think,i would miss this event,Jade.
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@ Maya – yeah it looks like it would hurt but according to a blogger friend that was there when they where taking it out – there was no blood. Amazing huh!
Some really great pictures and some of those hooks look so painful.OUCH
tina L’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
I’ve read and seen this in documentaries. I just wodner, how come they don’t bleed? Is it mind over matter? Hmmmmm…..
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OK Jade.. I am WORDLESS!
that is super duper sakit! waaahh! sbagay people here do that thing during Holy Week.. oh that is what faith can do.. ouch!
Make or Break
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I’m glad you witnessed the happenings at this festival.
The taking out of spikes is really gruesome. I had to open my eyes because I was taking pictures. It is not a pretty sight to see.
There is really no bleeding for many of the participants!
Some do bleed. I cannot explain these.
eastcoastlife’s last blog post..Pain!? What Pain? – WW
can’t look at the pictures too long, even REN as he feel like he’s gonna have a nightmare after looking at those pictures…but then it’s their belief and custom..as we had ours.
I’ve seen this before at Batu Caves in Malaysia. I can’t bear the sight of it! Especially those hooks on the skin. Yikes!
foongpc’s last blog post..2009 Chinese New Year Decorations
That would have been so neat to see. I cant believe that they dont beleed all over!
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That really hurts!!
why do people wants to hurt their own self?
whatta!
i can’t imagine this..
but it’s part of their culture…
all that i can do is to respect their culture and i’m glad they still preserve it..
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Eeeww! Just looking at the pictures make me squirm. I’m just glad I was not there in person.
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@ Shebadoo – LOL baka himatayin ka? Hehhe
OUCH!!!! That’s really amazing, and there was no blood at all.
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@ Liza – Aint it amazing? One of life’s wonders.
Hey thanks for the post. Amazing ain’t it. There are just so many singapore tourist attractions. Will take me weeks just to finish visiting all of them. Wish me luck.
hee hee i was curious when you said dont be scared on your comment!
but oh my god. that looks so painful!!
Ang sakit nmn nito..hehehe..
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@ shy – talaga but from what a Singaporean blogger told me – it didn’t bleed at all daw and they didn’t feel any pain at all.
Nice foto’s hardly believed it, too pitty for these people but i know they are used with this kind of festival, tanx for sending me message about your new address, have a nice day.
Prettige weekend.
Lota
eeew.. nakapikit ako habang nakatingin sa pics. hehehe. yaw ko nga yan. graber. un nga pinapako sa krus dito kadirdir eh diba. aw.
My dad used to take kavadi and trust me, it might look gruesome but it doesn’t hurt. You must follow the fasting properly and be disciplined and trust in God and He’ll take care. It is a joyful festival and we enjoy it very much. Lord Muruga is a youthful God so his festivals are always exhuberent.:))
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