April 17, 2007: Hindu festival includes dead body parts - Page 2

monster · 04-17-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

The "Naramundo Khela" (Skull Game) is a ritual that appears only to take place in the village of Sona Palasi. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, a Hindu deity who is depicted by a snake around his neck, and marks the start of the Bengali New Year on April 15.

As part of the festival, some villagers carrying skulls and daggers danced to rhythmic drum beats with their bodies covered with white ash and spotted with red and green paints as around 2,000 other people watched.

One villager danced with the corpse of a baby.

Villagers say that they have carried out this ritual in previous years.

"Dead bodies are dug up and their heads are severed and then used during the festival," said Debdas Biswas, 58, living in the village which is around 165 km (102 miles) west of Kolkata, the state capital.

Apparently there is a police investigation into the matter.

monster · 04-17-2007, 01:35 PM

On the playlist for the dancing:

Don't lose your head -Queen

wolf · 04-17-2007, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

My friend just came back from his dad's funeral in Japan. He brought some of his father's bones back with him. Apparently it's traditional.

That must have been an interesting trip through customs.

monster · 04-17-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

That must have been an interesting trip through customs.

apparently they looked a little puzzled at the x-ray machine, but did not inspect his case. He did not declare the remains (some foot bones, apparently)

littlenickyer · 04-17-2007, 05:17 PM

it seems that saying 'dead body parts' is a bit redundant. Is it really IotD worthy to read about a festival in which there are live body parts?

Sheldonrs · 04-17-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlenickyer

it seems that saying 'dead body parts' is a bit redundant. Is it really IotD worthy to read about a festival in which there are live body parts?

It depends on who's body parts and WHICH body parts.

Nikolai · 04-17-2007, 06:11 PM

Isnt it just a big game of Mr Potato Head, they get the body parts to the alter and start making different versions, one with sunglasses another with an eye for a nose and all that?

seakdivers · 04-18-2007, 12:38 AM

Look at the poor kid on the far right.... he thinks this whole tradition stinks!

samosa_pirate · 04-18-2007, 03:15 AM

konganaka konganaka konganaka ney! tuluku tuluku tuluku tuluku nosku naka ney!

Scriveyn · 04-18-2007, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

It depends on who's body parts and WHICH body parts.

... and whether they're still attached to their original owner.

SPUCK · 04-18-2007, 05:11 AM

I agree seakdivers... That kid's expression sums things up perfectly.

And as skinny as the guy on the right is they'll probably be carrying his parts around soon.

04-17-2007, 01:35 PM	#17
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	On the playlist for the dancing: Don't lose your head -Queen __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

04-17-2007, 05:17 PM	#20
littlenickyer I Love Lamp Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 37	it seems that saying 'dead body parts' is a bit redundant. Is it really IotD worthy to read about a festival in which there are live body parts? __________________ Chant it with me: "Sine Sine Cosine Sine 3.14159"

04-18-2007, 12:38 AM	#23
seakdivers Icy Queen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southeast Alaska Posts: 700	Look at the poor kid on the far right.... he thinks this whole tradition stinks! Last edited by seakdivers; 04-18-2007 at 12:40 AM. Reason: can't tell right from left.... it's a problem...

04-17-2007, 06:11 PM	#22
Nikolai Greener than the rest Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Near London Posts: 68	Isnt it just a big game of Mr Potato Head, they get the body parts to the alter and start making different versions, one with sunglasses another with an eye for a nose and all that?

04-18-2007, 03:15 AM	#24
samosa_pirate alcoholic teetotaller Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 2	konganaka konganaka konganaka ney! tuluku tuluku tuluku tuluku nosku naka ney!

04-18-2007, 05:11 AM	#26
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,911	I agree seakdivers... That kid's expression sums things up perfectly. And as skinny as the guy on the right is they'll probably be carrying his parts around soon.

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