Phuket's Vegetarian festival began in 1825, when the Governor of Thalang, Praya Jerm, moved Phuket's main town from Thalang to Kathu due to the presence of tin mines. At the time, Kathu was densely covered by jungle, leading to prevalent fever outbreaks.
During this period, a Chinese opera company arrived to perform for the miners, but they fell ill from an unknown malady. To recover, they adopted a vegetarian diet to honor two of the emperor Gods (Kiew Ong Tai Teh and Yok Ong Sone Teh). This choice coincided with their recovery, which intrigued the people of Kathu. This greatly interested the people of Kathu, who asked how it was done. The answer came that ritual vegetarianism with its attendant ceremonies had been the cause, with the result that people embraced the faith enthusiastically.
Commencing on the first evening of the ninth lunar month and continuing until the ninth evening. The festival's objective is to bring good luck to both individuals and the community. Since then, the festival has been an annual tradition, exclusively involving the Ma Song, individuals who strictly adhere to specific rules.
The Ma Song are devotees through whom the gods manifest during the festival. They exhibit supernatural abilities and endure self-inflicted hardships to absorb negative energies from others and bring good fortune to the community.
During this period, a Chinese opera company arrived to perform for the miners, but they fell ill from an unknown malady. To recover, they adopted a vegetarian diet to honor two of the emperor Gods (Kiew Ong Tai Teh and Yok Ong Sone Teh). This choice coincided with their recovery, which intrigued the people of Kathu. This greatly interested the people of Kathu, who asked how it was done. The answer came that ritual vegetarianism with its attendant ceremonies had been the cause, with the result that people embraced the faith enthusiastically.
Commencing on the first evening of the ninth lunar month and continuing until the ninth evening. The festival's objective is to bring good luck to both individuals and the community. Since then, the festival has been an annual tradition, exclusively involving the Ma Song, individuals who strictly adhere to specific rules.
The Ma Song are devotees through whom the gods manifest during the festival. They exhibit supernatural abilities and endure self-inflicted hardships to absorb negative energies from others and bring good fortune to the community.
