Feed the Birds

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Today is Maatu Pongal.

For today's part of the Thai Pongal festival, I went to Victoria Park in Glasgow to the feed the crows in the park and pray for my brother's well-being. The birds were not impressed by the seeds I'd taken (ducks actively swam away) and were instead gathering round a young girl on roller blades with a loaf of bread. Clearly the fast food of the winged community. I did however manage to coax one crow down to the seeds, and after fighting off two magpies, he did have some seeds. I'm taking that as mission complete.

Crows are particularly important in the festival as they represent the familial bonds of siblings. I sent my brother a message (he's yet to reply).

Cattle are also given recognition today as Tamils regard cattle as a source of wealth, providing dairy, fertilizer and labor on the farm. Cattle are bathed and decorated with garlands and tumeric water and oil. Their horns are painted and they are fed a mixture on pongal, jaggery, honey, banana and other fruits. There is a ritual which involved lighting coconut leaves, carrying it round the cattle and then running to the edge of the village. It is believed that this will remove evil influences caused by jealousy from other people coveting the animal.

I'd like to thank @r0b_shaw for his book suggestion Maypoles, Martyrs and Mayhem. It looks perfect for this project; I've ordered my copy!

Hope everyone's having a lovely weekend.



http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/vannakam-canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-wishes-tamilians-on-pongal-wins-hearts-yet-again-269543.html

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Photos

Crow
Crow chasing off two magpies to get the seeds. The other birds were much pickier.

Comments

[Mum]

Birds
Enjoying your blog . Coincidentally I was watching crows and the peregrines yesterday - didn't have any seeds or loaves with me though ?

[scenicroute]

Birds
Glad to hear your enjoying it! I'm having a lot of fun doing it!

[D MJ Binkley]

Victoria Park
Always fun to watch