The Festival Calendar (May)
May
Waisak
Borobudur, Indonesia
Thousands gather at the sacred monument of Borobudur to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Festivities differ by year.
Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)
Various provinces, Laos
Yasothon, Thailand
Huge rockets made of bamboo and painted with bright colours are launched into the sky to pray for rain.
Chanthaburi and Rayong Fruit Festivals
Chanthaburi & Rayong, Thailand
A celebration of tropical fruits, wih feasting on fruits such as durian, mangosteen, langsat, dragon fruit, rambutan and more.
Usaba Sambah
Tenganan, Bali, Indonesia
Watch the Tenganan men engage in a fierce but good-natured battle ritual, hitting their opponents with thorny Pandanus leaves.
Pulilan Carabao Festival (Kneeling Carabao Festival)
Pulilan, Philippines
Buffalos are groomed and proudly paraded through the streets alongside beautifully-decorated floats before kneeling in front of the church to be blessed.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Cambodia
In this regal ceremony, the king or a representative ploughs the land with two oxen and predictions are made for the coming year.
Pahiyas Festival
Lucban, Philippines
The town of Lucban becomes a riot of colours as locals decorate their houses with vegetables to celebrate the harvest season.
Flores de Mayo
Philippines
As part of Flores de Mayo, a beautiful pageant parade, known as the Santacruzan, is held in cities and towns all around the Philippines.
Pesta Kaamatan
Sabah, Malaysia
A native festival of Sabah, Pesta Kaamatan is replete with cultural events, traditional sports and not to forget, Tapai and Lihing, the local rice wines.