Bendigo Water Festival

History

“Then Jeh” is the traditional water festival where younger people have to opportunity to sprinkle water on the elders as a sign or respect for each other. The water serves as a symbolic cleansing of our hands from evil and misfortune.

The water festival is very well celebrated in Asia and forms one of the most interesting and fun ways to welcome the lunar New Year. People roam the streets with containers of water or water guns, or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity of this festival which was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors.

Water Festival comes to Bendigo

Bendigo’s first water festival will consist of traditional water festival dancing by Karen community to thank the people of Bendigo for their support and their warm welcome. Just in case you are wondering, we will celebrate all the aspects of the festival including traditional water festival foods but without the throwing of water.