27/03/2009 by bakary.

Switch off your lights for a hour!

That’s all you need to do… a small gesture with a huge impact.

According to WWF, “more than 2,000 cities from 80 countries across the globe” will be taking part. People, businesses and iconic buildings will be plunged into darkness for one hour during this extraordinary show of unity for the earth… Join in!

Posted in Good Deeds | No Comments »

15/03/2009 by bakary.

The variety and quality of exhibitions on offer at the British Museum mean that it’s not just tourists who go there these days.

I made my way there yesterday to go to the Between Tibet and Assam: cultural diversity in the eastern Himalayas exhibition. It’s a small exibition, relatively obscure (I don’t recall any publicity about it).
 
I was in the Himalayas last March when the Tibetan protests were in the news. I spoke to a few Tibetan refugees at the time and came across large groups making their way to demonstrations. The exhibition at the British Museum reminded me of my trip and of the few minority groups we came across.
  

“Between Tibet and Assam” is about two specific tribes from the state of Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India - the Apatani (who believe in a wide variety of spirits and conduct rituals involving animal sacrifices) and the Monpa (who follow Tibetan Buddhism).

“Over thirty-five different tribes live in the remote river valleys which run south from the Himalayas.”
 
 
 
 
“The culture of these tribes is not frozen in time. They have always had contact with their neighbours and their culture has consequently changed. However, today this rate of change has accelerated dramatically.”
 
“The Apatanis live in a narrow highland valley in the centre of Arunachal Pradesh. They speak their own distinct Tibeto-Burman language and have a rich oral tradition that has only recently been written down.

Rice is the staple food of Apatanis. It is cultivated using a complex system of irrigation, without ploughs, animals, wells, or machines.

Apatanis are animist - they believe in a wide variety of spirits representing traits such as wisdom, strength and fertility. Animist rituals with animal sacrifices and complex oral chants take place in yearly festivals as well as on other occasions.”
 
 
 
 
 
 “The Monpas live in the West of Arunachal Pradesh, near Bhutan and their languages is closely related to Bhutanese.”

“Monpas follow the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism led today by the fourteenth Dalai Lama.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you’re in the area and have 30 minutes to spare, I’d say it’s worth checking it out. The exhibition is on until 13 April 2009 and it’s FREE.

Source for information on the Apatanis and the Monpas: the British Museum.

Posted in Asia, Exhibition | No Comments »

12/03/2009 by bakary.

Yesterday was Holi, the Festival of Colours.

“Holi (referred to as Phagwa in Bhojpuri), also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad, the UK, and Nepal. In West Bengal of India and Bangladesh, it is known as Dolyatra (Doljatra) or Boshonto Utsav (”spring festival”).

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (death of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh.

Holi is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalugna or Falguna (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. In 2009, Holi (Dhulandi) is on 11th March and Holika Dahan is on 10th March.” (Source: Wikipedia)

I got a colourful email from a colleague in India yesterday:

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY “HAPPY HOLI (the Festival of Colours) Now in our country we are celebrating this festival.

Have lots and lots of fun

It reminded me of my trip to India last year. I was there for Holi and it was such fun watching people covered in colours, throwing colours at each others and generally being merry.

There was a multi-coloured tiny little dog. People were trying to throw colour on us… but we were watching from the safety of a bus!

Posted in Festival, Asia | No Comments »