The Albuquerque BioPark and Botanic Garden hosted the Annual Obon Festival on Aug. 10, as a part of the Garden’s Summer Night concert series. Otherwise known as the Festival of Souls, Obon is a Japanese celebration held to honor one’s ancestors. Early in the evening, event attendees were taught how to design and build traditional Japanese lanterns, which were sent floating along the Rio Grande River throughout the evening. When celebrated in Japan, each region holds different dances and variations of the celebration to honor the spirits of passed loved ones.
Text by Celia Raney
Diana Cervantes is the photo editor at the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at photo@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Dee_Sea_. Celia Raney is the news editor at the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com.
