1.
GTV.PROCESSION WITH BANNERS
0.08

2.
SV.CHILDREN CARRIED IN PROCESSION
0.14

3.
SV.TILT UP...CHILD CARRIED
0.22

4.
SV.TILT UP... PYRAMIDS COVERED WITH BUNS
0.30

5.
GTV.PEOPLE CLIMB PYRAMID
0.36

6.
CV.BOYS PICK BUNS
0.43

7.
SV.DITTO
0.50

8.
CV.BOYS PICK BUNS
0.54

9.
SV.PYRAMIDS NEARLY EMPTY
1.01



Initials RGH/VS/AS/JG



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: RIOTS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS IN THE KOWLOON AREA OF HONGKONG HAD NO EFFECT ON THE INHABITANTS OF CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND; THEY WERE TOO BUSY CELEBRATING THE BUN FESTIVAL.

CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND LIES ABOUT EIGHT MILES (12 KMS) SOUTHWEST OF HONGKONG. FOR TWO DAYS THIS WEEK, FISHING AND FARMING COMMUNITIES THERE WERE IN A HOLIDAY MOOD. ACCORDING TO A CHINESE RELIGIOUS BELIEF, THE FESTIVAL HELPS PLACATE THE GHOSTS OF PEOPLE MURDERED BY PIRATES IN ANCIENT DAYS.

THROUGHOUT THE TWO DAYS, THE ISLANDERS WENT ON A VEGETABLE DIET -- A FORM OF PENANCE FOR THEIR SINS.

IN ONE COLOURFUL PROCESSION, 10-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN WERE PERFECTLY BALANCED IN THE AIR BY IRON RODS TIED TO THEIR THIGHS AND WAISTS, AND SAFELY SECURED ON FLOATS. THE CHILDREN REPRESENTED CHINESE HISTORICAL, RELIGIOUS AND FAIRY TALE PERSONALITIES.

AT THE FESTIVAL'S SITE, THERE WERE THREE SOLIDLY-BUILT WOODEN PYRAMIDS PLASTERED WITH BUNS, EACH 60-FEET (18 METRES) HIGH. ON THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, THE ISLANDERS SCRAMBLED FOR THE BUNS. SOME ARMED WITH CLOTH BAGS CLIMBED UP THE WOODEN STRUCTURE TO GET THE PRIZE BUNS ON THE TOP.

CHINESE BELIEVE THAT THE BUNS AT THE TOP WILL PREVENT ILL HEALTH AND BRING GOOD FORTUNE TO THOSE WHO SUCCEED IN GETTING THEM.