Thai Poosam Kavady festival in South Africa explained

Thai Poosam Kavady is a Tamil religious festival dedicated to Hindu god Murugan that is celebrated by the Tamil people in various places including South Africa.

History and background

The festival was first introduced to South Africa in the 1860s by indentured Indian laborers who worked on sugarcane plantations.^[1]

Kavady translates in Tamil language as a pole slung across the shoulder to evenly distribute the weight of whatever is being carried, usually in bundles on either ends of the pole. The carrying of kavady symbolizes the carrying of one's burden and then resting it at the feet of the Lord.^[1] The kavady represent the quest for equilibrium.^[2]

The festival is celebrated by the Indian diaspora (of Tamil origin) in various places in South Africa including Johannesburg,^[2] Durban,^[3] and their suburbs.

See also

• Thaipusam

Notes and References

1. Web site: "Hindus end atonement festival of Kavady". SABC News. 24 April 2005. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050424210903/https://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/general/0,2172,102881,00.html. 24 April 2005.
2. Web site: Devotees celebrate Kavady festival in Lenasia. 26 January 2005. SABC News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050425000723/http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/general/0,2172,96542,00.html. 25 April 2005.
3. Web site: Indian community celebrates Kavady festival. 9 May 2004. SABC. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050425000700/http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/general/0,2172,79448,00.html. 25 April 2005.