Moon festival on the full moon in September is a big deal here in Vietnam. Significantly it is the time to harvest the crops, and a time of celebration. The children all make lanterns, place a candle inside and walk around at night. Moon festival is also the time of moon cakes that look a little like pork pies, and a time for everyone to dress up in their formal ao dai. (pronounced our eye)I love wearing my ao dai, except for the fact that it has a traditional collar with long sleeves. Too hot in this country. The garment is long and flowing and you feel quite graceful. The two long panels in the front, open to the waist, over the trouser,s flow when you walk. There is a downside, remembering to hold onto your panels when you go to the bathroom.
Moon festival at our school is a big event. The children and staff arrive in tradition dress, and the morning begins with dragon dancing, followed by various age group assemblies retelling the myth of moon In a peaceful country the tale is told of a small boy who drowns and his spirit gets taken to the moon, obviously where he lives happily ever after.
The dragon dance is rather creative with fabulous costumes. I admire the agility of the dancers, hoisting each other up onto their shoulders and dancing around. Wow the fitness level is extreme.
Uyen is my lovely teaching assistant, and an incredibly extremely creative lady. last night when she couldn't sleep she got up and make these beautiful lanterns for our classroom. I was intrigued how she passes the wool in the bottom of the lantern and through the folds of cardboard to come out the top. I shall commandeer a couple for Christmas.
2 comments:
At Saigon Airport a team of about 12 young men were getting ready to board a plane for Singapore. They were booking in their dragon parts as checked luggage. The parts were wrapped in plastic and given that a dragon is pretty big it was a pretty big ask!
Very colourful. The festivals must be fun. We need some festivals!
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