It is very common to see traditional water fights in SouthEast Asia, Thai New Year water fight celebration is the most famous of all also known as Songkran and normally observed to happen in April.
The trend was recently seen in Suwat village, in Gianyar regency of Bali where the New Year Celebration was celebrated with chipper water festival.
The fifth edition of Suwat's Water Festival of the annual tradition was a three day event began with a bang on Monday with a walking tour around the village.
The good part about this festival is as reported by Nusa Bali, every participant is obligated to collect trash on the journey during the first day. This waste include plastic waste and as a result the person who collects the most wins the prize. Furthermore the participants also took part in planting trees.
Participants then travel to the water on the day before New Year towards to the local river so they can prepare for the festival for the last day. Which is then followed by traditional games including tug of war in the middle of paddy fields.
“These games are supposed to take us to simpler days, when children are less addicted to smartphones. Living in a village, playing in the fields without fear of getting dirty in the mud. This event is open to the public, anyone can participate,” said Suwat Village Chief Ngakan Putu Sudibya.
Siat Yeh ritual marks the last day of the festival, this is when the water fights happen. This is an act meant to signify washing to prepare for the upcoming day with a new spirit for the new year.
On social media, photos and videos from the festival show residents splashing water on one another using colorful water dippers.
