Manchester United or Bon Odori?

So, will you be watching Manchester United play the Malaysian side at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil or will you be dancing the evening away at the Bon Odori in Shah Alam?

Well, whichever party you've picked, may you have a wonderful time!

Picture source: The Star

Bon Odori

When I read about this article about the Bon Odori festival being celebrated here, I remembered that a colleague attended this celebration several years ago. She enjoyed it very much.

THE Bon Odori festival has captured the hearts of Malaysians with the crowd growing yearly. Some 30,000 are expected at the event on July 14, which is held for the 31st year here. (Pandabonium, I quoted only 10,000 in your post. Oops!)

“Bon Odori is summer time. Well, the chief purpose of the festival is not only to remember one’s deceased relatives but it is also meant to be a joyful time, celebrating and bringing family members together,” Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur Bon Odori organising vice-chairman Natsuhiko Kato said.

“It is a festival to honour the ancestral spirits who returned to his or her earthly home,” he added.

“It is a beautiful festival that is celebrated throughout the land of the rising sun. Over here in Selangor, the festival has taken a twist as it has turned into a great get-together,” he said.

“We encourage parents to bring their children as it will allow the young ones to understand and get a feel of the Japanese culture. At the same time it will be good as we want to celebrate 50 years of friendship with Malaysia,” he said.

“While you are there, just join in the dance that goes in circles around the yagura - a raised platform where the drums are placed. Wear simple, loose clothes and flat-heeled canvass shoes for comfort and appropriate when taking part in the dance,” he said.

Kato added that besides taking part in the dance, those who come also get to savour Japanese food such as kaki gori (Japanese ais-kacang), oni giri (rice balls), fried rice, fried noodles and ice cream.

Source: The Star


Pandabonium has a great post on Bon Odori. Read and see how it is being celebrated in Japan.