The festival of colors
Suriname is one of the countries where Phagwah is celebrated. Wikipedia has the following information about this festival:
Holi (Hindi: होली) or Phagwah (Bhojpuri) is an annual and popular Hindu spring festival. It takes place over two days in the later part of February or early March. As per the Hindu calendar, it falls on the Phalgun Purnima (or Pooranmashi, Full Moon). It is also called the Festival of Colours. In West Bengal, it is known as Dolyatra (Doljatra) or Boshonto Utshob (”spring festival”).
On the first day, a bonfire is lit at night to signify burning Holika. On the second day, known as Dhulandi, people go around until afternoon throwing colored powder and water at each other. A special drink called thandai is prepared, sometimes containing bhang (Cannabis sativa). People invite each other to their houses for feasts and celebrations later in the evening. Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colours.
This festival occurs at the onset of spring. This period, during which the weather changes, is prone to cause viral fever and cold. Thus, the playful throwing of the coloured powders has a medicinal significance as the coloured powders are made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prescribed by Āyurvedic doctors.
In 2007, Holi was celebrated on 3 March, the burning of Holika was on 4 March and the Dhuleti on 5 March.
Although a Hindu celebration, other religions in India celebrate it as well. In fact, some of the best Holi celebrations are said to happen in Punjab, where Hindus and Sikhs celebrate together. This celebration in Punjab typically involves Dholi’s and other musical instruments as kids and adults celebrate.
Here in Suriname other religions also celebrate Phagwah as if it was their own.
I was told that this year the burning of Holika was delayed a little because the moon eclipse occurred here in Paramaribo around the time the bonfire is usually lit.
Yesterday we were invited to celebrate Phagwah with one of the coworkers of Barbara, my wife. We were greeted with powder and colored mud. First Barbara got powdered
Now THIS is the woman I wanted to marry 
Well, I didn’t look that bad either
As was said in the long exciting conversation we had, Phagwah should be more widely celebrated, but a lot of people don’t know the meaning of most of the rituals and just participate because it’s fun. On the other hand, because they don’t know why the colored powder and water is used, they don’t want to get “dirty”.
We got some roti to eat. They had planned to cook masala (curry) duck to serve with the roti, but we had masala chicken. They did have a lot of ducks running around though. Roti is eaten by hand, no utensils involved. I can not imagine people eating roti with fork and knife.
By the end of the afternoon we were dropped off at home. We would probably not be welcome to ride in a local bus. Since the daughters were coming to the city to go to a celebration party. Barbara and I raced each other to the bathroom to take a shower, but we paused in front of the mirror for a second to see what we looked like:
