Crazy costumes and masks, cows, tricks, and jokes. Sounds like Halloween doesn't it? Wrong. I’m actually talking about Gai Jatra or the Festival Of Cows in Nepal! It’s one of the most popular festivals there because it’s full of humor, satire, jokes, mockery, but also sadness.
During this fascinating festival, families that have lost a relative must take part in a procession down the streets of Kathmandu leading a cow. If a cow is unavailable, a young boy in the family must dress up in a cow costume to substitute it. After the parade, people take part in another ancient tradition where the participants dress up in colorful costumes and masks. The event is filled with all kinds of mockery, jokes, humor, and songs.
Gai Jatra has its roots in the ancient times when people both feared and worshiped the god of death, Yamaraj. The fascinating traditions came from an eighteenth-century king whose son died. The queen was devastated, so to cheer her up, the king announced that anyone who could make her laugh or even smile would be rewarded greatly. During the festival, the cow parade was brought before the queen, and the participants made fun of the important people of the society. After the queen saw all of this, she couldn't stop smiling, and so the king made the parade and the jokes and mockery a tradition in Gai Jatra. This festival teaches people to accept that death is a part of life and prepare themselves for life after death.
This year, Gai Jatra falls on August 29. I know that I would love to experience this festival in person. Would you also want to have a chance to see all of this for yourself?
Great job Lily! Gai Jatra sounds really cool and fun. Did you know that the reason that cows are the main symbol of Gai Jatra is because Gai Jatra is observed by Hindus. In Hinduism, the cow is regarded as the most venerated among all the domestic animals. It is believed that the cow, revered as a holy animal by Hindus, will help the deceased love one's journey to heaven. I think you should check out Sarah Stone's post about the Festival of Holi. Although it is a happy festival, both of your's are festivals that we don't really have anything like in the US.
ReplyDelete"Holy Cow!" is right. This was such a fabulous post! I had never heard of this festival before and now very much want to know more! This is EXACTLY why I do this assignment. Well...that and the fact that it lets me read some really great writing...like yours! Well done, Lily!
ReplyDelete