Pi Mai Lao or Lao
New year is the liveliest holiday of the year
and one that everyone looks forward to, as it is a time when many people visit
their families all over the country. It takes place around 13-15 April, the hottest part of the year, which is why no one
really minds being constantly wet from the water being thrown everywhere.
The first day,
known as Maha Songkran, is considered the last day of the old year. Lao will
clean their houses and villages on this day, and prepare water, perfume, and
flowers for the days ahead.
The last day of the
festival marks the start of the new year. This day many families will hold a Baci at their houses to welcome Lao New Year as well as to
wish their elders good health and long life. Some might respectfully ask for forgiveness
from their elders for things that they did in the past year that might have
hurt their feelings unintentionally. And at the same time they give the elders
gifts.
In late afternoon
or evening of the last day, in the temples, the Buddha images are moved back to
their permanent homes. On that same evening devotees go to wats to listen to
the monks chanting as an act to ask for forgiveness from the monks as well as
from the Buddha images for what they did (pouring water on them) in this past
few days that might have accidentally touched them (monks and Buddha are not to
be touched). After that, a vien tien – a candlelight procession – takes place
around the wat and that is the end of the Lao New Year celebration.
During
the New Year, water plays a big part in the festivities - Lao bathe Buddha
images in their local temples, pouring jasmine-scented water and flower petals
on the sculptures. The faithful will also build sand stupas and decorate these
with flowers and string. At each temple, monks will provide the water, as well
as blessings for the devotees flocking to the temples and the white bai sri
strings, which they will tie around devotees' wrists. People also get soaked
during Bun Pi Mai - people respectfully pour water on monks and elders, and
less reverently on each other! Foreigners are not exempt from this treatment -
if you're in Laos during Bun Pi Mai, do expect to be soaked by passing
teenagers, who'll give you the wet treatment from buckets of water, hoses, or high-pressure
water guns.
Pi
Mai Lao is particularly spectacular in Luang Prabang as this is where there are
many parades and other festivities, which normally last about a week. The
religious highlight is when the revered Prabang Buddha image is carried through
the streets in a golden house supported by two long poles, carried by young
men. Other events in Luang Prabang include an annual Nangsoukhane beauty
pageant, nightly parties with traditional Lao music and circle dancing, and
parades throughout the city.
In some of these parades, three
outlandishly-dressed figures play leading roles. The two red-faced toothy heads
are called Grandfather and Grandmother Nyeu, guardians of the environment and
venerated by the people. The lion-headed figure is called Sing Kaew Sing Kham,
and he may be an old-time King
Tips
for enjoying Pi Mai in Luang Prabang
- Water
throwing generally takes place from midday onwards. To avoid getting wet,
do all the things you need to do outside the house in the morning.
- Wear
old clothes or clothes you don't care about getting wet or ruined - not just
during the festival but in the days leading up to it.
- Carry
your belongings in a plastic bag - again both during and in the days leading up
to Pi Mai.
- Arm
yourself with a water gun - you can buy these from Dara or Phousi market.
- Buy
all the groceries you need before the start of Pi Mai, as most shops will be
closed over the three days.
No comments:
Post a Comment