Penang Bon Odori 2009

Obon (お盆^?) or just Bon (盆^?) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed (deceased) spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. Also called the Feast of Lanterns, it has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori. ( from Wikipedia* )
Penang Bon Odori 2009 kicks off with a blast. Swamp with 100 overs people from many cultures attend to this beautiful Japanese festival. It's also one of my 1st time after leaving my ex company and I have more time for myself to attend such events.

You may think Hollywood may have the most paparazzi, but think again at this Penang Bon Odori 2009. I felt about 60%-75% of the people attend to this event have camares range from handphone cameras to professional digital SLR. A lot of new and well organized lots with things to play, buy, eat, drink and experiences of this special culture.






There so many people and the crowd was pack and very hard to move around so i didnt get a chance to take some pictures of the food and drinks. But I did get a fast look at everything from far, but most of the food I see were mostly all either from Hotel cathering or normal deep fried food and normal local Penang drinks.


The event kicks off with the drums performances and a traditional Japanese Sakura dance by the Penang Japanese Association.



Also getting along are the childrens in their Kimono, very charming and cute.
There are other people also wear their Kimono and some Japanese people from Penang also
brought their family to there and set up a picnic set there. A lot people getting along well especially photographers which I meet about 10 - 25 friends and many happy faces there enjoying the festival with their friends and family.





The night end with a beautiful display of fireworks which I dotn ahev the camera gear to take the photos. Next year I will be involved the Penang Bon Odori
if I can.