Tamil Cavadee Ceremony

Faith comes in many flavors.  In our first six months in Mauritius, we have sought out opportunities to taste the many faith traditions in the Indian Ocean.  The Tamil tradition of the Hindu faith is one of the most interesting and, it would seem, demanding, of its adherents.  On Christmas Day, we observed the Tamil tradition of walking barefoot on hot coals. On February 7th, a very hot and humid day, we observed the annual Cavadee ceremony: one of very deliberate sacrifice, endurance, and devotion.  For ten days in advance of the ceremony, the faithful avoid all meat, alcohol, and physical relations.  On the day of Cavadee, they take part in body piercing rituals: with hooks in the back and stomach hanging limes and other fruits, needles through skin on legs, arms, and face, and (my personal favorite) skewers horizontally through the tongue and sometimes cheeks.  In withering heat, several wore sandals with upturned nails, and all carried some form of "cavadee", a highly decorated personal headdress honoring a specific Diety.  Once fully pierced and burdened, many walked for miles to the temple amidst a rousing drum beating, flute playing, chanting procession.  Oh, and did we mention it was hot and humid?  Like 95 degrees F with 95% humidity. Although we don't profess to being very knowledgeable about the theology that requires these elaborate practices, it is sure that any Diety could not fail to be impressed by these demonstrations of sacrifice and devotion.  We certainly were.