Fushu Daiko Group and Vietnamese Food

There was an interesting event in the college this week, where I had the opportunity to meet a Japanese music group and a taste of Vietnamese food. The Fushu Daiko is a group which represents a Japanese art called "Japanese Taiko Drumming", but through the years they have developed their own version of this art and call it “American Taiko.” They played different songs to show us their music. The first song they played was dedicated to the memory of a man who helped to create this group, who passed away in June 27th, 2007. This music is very energetic, carrying emotional and spiritual tones, transforming it through the years making it more current. This is a very synchronized and organized group, and the way and timing they chose to play their instruments achieve perfect harmony. One of the members of this group is actually Japanese. She feels that being part of this group brings her closer to her culture.

We also had the opportunity to taste Vietnamese food. I found it to taste pretty much like any other Asian food except for the way the dishes were plating. I had some vegetables, chicken and fried rice, which were particularly delicious. The vegetables were cooked in an especial sauce that gave them n unique flavor. The fried rice and chicken were mixed with other ingredients, not as spicy as most of Asian food is, but yummy, nonetheless. I think the activity was a very interesting way for add experience a little bit of the Asian culture, particularly at it relate to Japan and Vietnam.  

Fushu Daiko. 2012. <http://www.fushudaiko.com/fushu-friends#!__fushu-friends/japanese-taiko-drumming>.

Thailand, an Exciting Country of Asia

Thailand is an exciting country not only because of its culture, but also because of its religion, customs, marriage, and funerals. The culture of Thailand has been influencing by other countries and immigrants from India, China and Cambodia. Thailand religion is mostly Buddhism, but it has minorities of Christians, Muslims and other Thai religions. Thai Buddhism is known as Theravada Buddhist. Thai people applied their religion in cosmology and astrology. They believe in spirits, so they own miniature houses in their own house or public places where the spirits can live. They also have to offer food and drinks to these spirits to make them happy. If the spirits are not happy, they can live the house and create chaos. Most of the Thai customs has been modified through the last years, but there are some of them that are still in the top of their values. One of the most common customs is the one used to show greeting or farewell; people made a “wai” and move a little their head with a smile. Another significantly custom is the minimum or uncommon demonstration of affection in public. For example, friends can hold their hands; instead a couple of lovers cannot do it. Thai people also believe that foot are the dirtiest part of the body and the head is the most respectful part of the body, that explain why it is rude to point any person or religion symbol with the foot, or move the foot above of some else’s head, especially if the other person is a monk or has a higher social status.  Thai people believe that is life should be fun, so they avoid conflict, anger and any kind of disagreements. Visitors have to help to keep harmony and avoid making a Thai person to lose his/her face. Any disgust should be handled smiling and talking without blaming another person. Thai people strongly believe in respect for the elderly people, parents, teachers and their ancestor. The monks have prohibited any contact with women, and women have to help them to avoid any incidental contact. Women can make offerings but they have to put them in the monk foot. The monk could give a blessing to women with a stick, but they can no touch women in any way. They have two different kind of marriage, between Buddhist and between Muslims. Between Buddhists, they have two ceremonies, the first one it is in a temple; they recite prayers, offer food, gift and cash to the monks. After all this ceremony, the principal monk gives blessing and offering advice to the couple. The second one it is the traditional with the families. Between Muslims, they offer a ceremony in two rooms, one for women and one for men. Both kind of marriage (Buddhism and Muslims) shared something call “dowry”, it means that the groom has to give the bride’s family certain amount of money to compensate them and demonstrate his financial status for his future wife. Funerals take a week, and the corpse is usually cremated after the monk’s ceremony is given to avoid the dead come back as a bad spirit.  Thai culture is very interesting in the way they assume their religion and all their customs about funerals and relationships.

Reference
Culture of Thailand. (2012, June 21). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Thailand