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Pipes and Buns


Pipes and Buns
Photo Information
Copyright: Mark Huang (Shiner) (19)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2003-05-08
Categories: Festivals
Camera: Canon G3, 0.5X wide angle
Exposure: f/4, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2004-09-21 11:31
Viewed: 962
Points: 2
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A shot taken during the possession at the annual Bun Festival in Cheung Chau Island in Hong Kong. The Bun Festival originated from the appeasement of the spirits of people who died from a 19th century plague. White steamed buds with sweat filling are lined up on towers that reach 50-60 feet high, and traditionally, islanders would climb the towers in a race to the top to grab the highest bun for good luck. The annual race was however cancelled since 1978 as one to towers collapsed and injured many. Now the bud towers are there, but then the buds are given out free.

Besides the bun towers, there is also a possession with children dressed in various costumes of famous people or politicians, often making fun of bad policies or other subjects the people wish to sting (freedom of expression…). Last year, with SARS just behind Hong Kong, some of the possession children dressed in doctors and nurses outfits to give them credit for their brave work.

Another part of the possession is seen here: the police pipe band, a distinct colonial legacy from the British ruling over Hong Kong, which of course ended on 30 June 1997. Of course the band members are (and were) all Chinese. In the background is the local Tin Hau Temple (goddess of the sea), which protects the fishermen islanders.
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Critiques [Translate]

Very nice,Mark,I like it.
Great POV,well detailed,fine colors,and a very good composition,...I like it.
Thanks for posting.
Welcome to TE.
Sincerely,Mohammad

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