Humans "skewered" at vegetarian festival Pictures Humans "skewered" at vegetarian festival Vegetarian festival devotees get pierced early morning at the Bang Neow shrine in Phuket, Thailand, Oct. 10, 2013. Ritual Vegetarianism in Phuket Island traces its roots back to the early 1800's. The festival begins on the first evening of the ninth lunar month and lasts for nine days. Participants in the festival perform acts of body piercing as a means of shifting evil spirits from individuals onto themselves and to bring the community good luck. All photos from Phuket, Thailand, Oct. 10, 2013 Credit: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images