32rd Bon Odori 2008

Venue: Shah Alam Panasonic Stadium

was dragged along to this year's Bon Odori festival, not that i'm not willing to go, but just i was there once, then again, going there again bring back some memories with my old school mates a long long long long time ago. Nothing much has changed since my last visit, so didn't really feel that change shock that i was anticipating, well i guess, a festival is always a festival. :) it would be great fun if to join in the dances, but for me, neh..hehehe. that's why i'm the one that says it's boring...lol...

Just a little info on what Bon Odori is about and why is this day so special.
Obon (お盆, Obon^?) or just Bon (盆, Bon^?) 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.

Bon Odori (盆踊り, meaning simply Bon dance) is an event held during Obon. It is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward one's ancestors.