Festivals are an organisational nightmare, but a fan’s annual dream and across the globe there are more festivals than you can shake a stick at. So for the avid traveller - or plain old festival addict - I have come up with what you should be checking out during the second week of March.
Maulid
Festival
When: The birth date of Prophet Mohammed - the date changed according to the Muslim calendar.
Where: Lamu, Kenya.
What: This little party celebrates, like all good things should, a delightful birthday, and for the sake of this one, it’s Prophet Mohammed’s turn as the town erups into song, dance and general frivolity.
Although good old Mo’ can’t be there to get involved in the festivities, a huge parade on the final day of the shenanigans - which ends up at the tomb of Habib Swaleh - honours the bloke who started it all when he brought the festival to Lamu from Comoros in the 1860’s.
Calle Ocho
When: Early to mid March
Where: Calle Ocho, Miami, USA.
What: I love a good street party, and word on the tarmac is that this is the greatest in the world! It’s the grand finale to Miami’s carnival celebration as 20 blocks are closed in Miami for a party with up to a million guests.
As a huge celebration of Latin culture, the event sees the sounds of salsa and merengue fill the street from around 30 stages which are scattered across town whilst entertainers and dancers bring the whole thing to life.
What else?
Omizutori
When? 12-13 March
Where? Nara, Japan
What? Not exactly my idea of fun, but each to their own I guess; the monks of Todai-Ji throw hot embers from a balcony onto hoards of spectators to ‘purify’ them. But don’t be alarmed, there is a water-drawing ceremony afterwards if you’re worried about third degree burns!
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison