Funfact: Why do Thai people offer Strawberry Fanta to Gods?
Part 1: Quirky things in religions all over the world!
If you have ever been to Bangkok or any other Thai city, you must have undoubtedly noticed something peculiar — a lot of shrines piled with a lot of bottles of red, fizzy soda.
Spirit houses are small dollhouse-like structures found outside many Thai homes, retail stores and malls. It is believed that the spirits which inhabit the land and the trees get displaced by the construction and need a place to stay. These spirits take care of the inhabitants and bring good luck. And what’s more, you can get your wishes granted by offering Strawberry Fanta!
As an Indian, it made me wonder, since when did Ganesha and Brahma (popular Hindu deities who have also started drinking Fanta in Thailand) develop an affinity for colorful carbonated beverages? In fact, Thailand is the largest market for Strawberry Fanta in the world and almost all of it goes to the Gods!
One explanation is that blood sacrifice was common in animistic beliefs, which got replaced by red-coloured water and consequently by Strawberry Fanta.
Red is also considered to be an auspicious colour. Traditionally, some Thai folks used to sweeten water with a pink-hued substance called nam ya thai thip, a mixture of palm sugar and herbs. Strawberry Fanta could just be a more convenient replacement of that. But at this point, offering Strawberry Fanta has become a tradition more than anything else.
Buddhism, which is dominant in Thailand, doesn’t believe in spirits. But as we’ll see, almost all religions are entwined with contradicting customs. Tomorrow, we’ll find out about a pagan custom in a religion which actually persecuted pagans — Easter Eggs and Christianity. That, and why do Hindus break a coconut before starting something auspicious? Stay Tuned!
