Floating Festivals Down the Ages: A Celebration Turned Responsibility
Can customs transform into environmentally friendly for seas? Insight into Thailand's Loy Krathong Festival.
Our rivers, lakes, canals, and other water bodies have been the cradle of life and culture for centuries. They nourish ecosystems, support livelihoods, and provide us with essential resources. It's no surprise they're cherished and celebrated globally.
In the heart of Southeast Asia, during a full moon night in November, the Loy Krathong Festival pays homage to the water deities. This ancient tradition involves floating a 'krathong' – a small, ornate float made from ecofriendly materials like banana tree trunks, flowers, and candles - as an act of gratitude to the water gods and an apology for polluting our waterways. I, for one, love participating in this celebration, dress up in my traditional Thai attire, craft my krathong, and sometimes guide younger students in creating theirs. I've floated my krathongs in rivers, swimming pools, ponds, and even virtually with my class via a website.
Originating in the 14th century, the Loy Krathong Festival has grown with our population, and in 2023, an astounding 640,000 krathongs were collected by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). With such a massive number, it's unavoidable to overlook the damage to our waterways.
The initial krathongs were crafted with traditional materials, but over time, plastic and Styrofoam became popular, causing adverse impacts on wildlife, human health, and the economy through the creation of microplastics and chemical leaching, entanglement hazards, and increased clean-up costs. In recent years, with growing awareness about these issues, the use of non-biodegradable materials has reduced significantly.
Nowadays, creative options like ice, coconut shell, and cassava are rising as they decompose swiftly. Technology and innovation open opportunities for environmentally responsible celebrations. Projection mapping, for instance, allowed visitors to project their krathong designs onto a river in Bangkok in 2023, where 3,000 digital krathongs were floated. There are also online platforms for people to write their wishes and watch an animated krathong glide across the screen, all from the comfort of their homes.
Those who prefer to maintain the traditional essence of the festival can adopt practices like launching one krathong per family or group of friends to reduce the number of krathongs that need to be gathered. As societies experiment with ideas and exchange solutions, a ripple effect is created, leading to more sustainable, healthier, and globally appealing celebrations.
The trend towards environmental sustainability in the Loy Krathong Festival exemplifies the evolution of traditions faced with modern-day challenges. It's inspiring to witness people becoming more conscious of their environmental impact and striving for greater sustainability through creativity and innovation. This is just one instance of a tradition adapting to environmental challenges, paving the way for more integrated sustainability in cultural customs. As we push the boundaries of innovation and promote environmental responsibility, it becomes increasingly clear that we have the power to preserve our heritage and the health of our oceans, hand in hand.
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- During the Loy Krathong Festival, we can express gratitude to the water gods and take responsibility for our actions by using ecofriendly materials for our krathongs, such as banana tree trunks, flowers, and candles, instead of contributing to microplastics in the ocean.
- Sustainability should be a priority in our lifestyle choices, particularly within the realm of fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden products, to minimize our carbon footprint and reduce the harmful impact on the environment, including our oceans and ecosystems.
- In the face of climate-change and the spike in microplastics in our oceans, it's crucial that we integrate environmental-science into our decision-making processes to ensure the preservation and health of our water bodies for generations to come.
- By adopting small, everyday changes and promoting environmentally responsible practices, we have the power to influence the future of our world, making a significant difference in the fight against ocean pollution and the protection of our planet's delicate ecosystems.
- Floating eco-friendly krathongs during the Loy Krathong Festival serves as a reminder of the profound connection between humans and our waterways, inspiring us to continuously strive for greater sustainability and work hand-in-hand to preserve our oceans and protect our precious environment.
