Title
A devotee carrying a kavadi during Thaipusam
Year/Period
Early-mid 20th century
Region
Malaysia
Dimension
Image size: L13.7cm X W8.8cm
Accession No.
1991-00440
Collection of
There are various kavadis that devotees carry during Thaipusam, a festival Hindus celebrate to worship Lord Murugan, a son of Shiva. Known as a burden, the kavadi this man is carrying takes on the simple shape of a hawker's storehouse, a wooden arch carried on the shoulder with two baskets at either end. The baskets contain offerings for the Lord, including rice, milk and other articles. Thaipusam first came to Malaysia with the arrival of Indian immigrants in Malaya during the early 19th century.
