Celebrations, parties,
or festivals are called boun in Lao. There is an ever
presence of laid-back atmosphere in Laos. Lao people have
many boun throughout the year to commerorate different occassions.
In recent times, Laos has also incorporated many foreign holidays
or celebrations such as Christmas and Valentine's Day, although
at a very modest level.
January
International
New Year. 1st of the month; officially a statutory holiday.
Lao Army
Day. 20th of the month.
February
Van Maka
Bousa.
March
April
Mid-April
- Bpee Mai Lao - Lao New Year. Mid-April (or 6th day
of the waxing moon of the 5th month of the lunar calendar which is
May according to this calendar). Official public holiday of 3 days.
For more info. on this celebration click
here.
Boun
Haut Nam - Water Throwing Festival. The name speaks for itself.
It takes place as part of the New Year celebrations. The most notable
place to see these celebrations is Luangprabang.
May
May 1
- International Labour Day. Public holiday.
May 15
- Visaka Busa. Very important Buddhist event.
According to Theravada Buddhists, this day is considered with the
birth of the man Siddartha Gautama or Buddha. It also commerates
his enlightenment (Lao: Nipphane, Pali: Nibbana) and parinibbana (his
physical passing away).
Boun
Bang Fai - Rocket Festival. 6th month of the lunar
calendar (May). A pre-Buddhist festival. Celebrated during approximate
same time as Visakha Bu'sa. Lots of music, dancing, food, traditional
theatre, processions and of course the the firing of rockets.
This boun is considered on of the more energetic festivals in Laos.
For example, there are also phallus shapped ornaments and men who
dress as women at these celebrations. The rocket that goes the highest
wins a price, usually money. The firing of the rockets were a sort
of ritual to encourage rain fall for the rice fields. Coincidentally
it is also during this time that the rainy season begins (also known
as monsoon season).
Boun Pha Vaet. 4th month of the lunar calendar (May). People in the town/village and those from neighboring towns are invited to come to the temple to feast and hear the monks recite. If there is no major feast at the temple then others in the town/village elect to help alleviate the large workload of the temple by opening their homes to visitors. Visitors are free to visit the homes in the vicinity or village of where the Boun Pha Vaet is happening, even if you are a complete stranger! You will be offered food and drink - specifically khao boun (rice vermicelli noodles in coconut and meat soup) and beer.
The major component of this Boun Pha Vaet is that they congregate to the temples to hear the monks recite, in Pali (or Tum), the Jataka Tale of Vessentara. It is essentially the Buddha's last incarnation, that of Pha Vaet. The recitation is one full day (all day and all night) and is recited by several monks who perform in rotation. While the monks recite, a basket will be passed around in which listeners will donate money. A part of that will be given specifically to the monk who has been reciting and the rest to the temple. Even though there are younger followers who attend, the majority tend to be the older generation and seniors.
June
Khow Pansa - Buddhist Lent. Full Moon.
At this time there is a three month retreat in which the monks are
expected to remain in a single monastery. Whereas at any other
time during the year they are free to move or stay anywhere for any
number of days. In the old days, this retreat was also seen
as the best timing to keep the wandering monks from the heavy rains
of the rainy season and to prevent any damage to young rice crops.
(Note: Khow sometimes spelt and pronounced as khao, kow, kauw).
August/September
Haw Khow
Padap Deen - Full Moon. This is a more serious event
in which the living pay tribute, homage or remembrance of deceased
ancestors. Offerings are given to the sangha so that the monks
may chant on behalf of the deceased. It's also a time to clean altars.
Haw Khow
Salak - Similar purpose as Haw Khao Padap Deen. Full moon
of the tenth month of the lunar calendar (September).
Awk Pansa - End of Buddhist Lent
October
Boun
Nam - Water Festival which takes form in the Boun
Suang Hua - Boat Race Festival. There are boat races across
Laos. Most notable ones are those that take place in Vientiane and
Luangprabang.
Teacher's
Day - Gifts are given to teachers; usually utilitarian items.
November
Boun
That Luang - That Luang Festival. Full moon of the 12th month
of lunar calendar (November). The largest festival in all of Laos
where thousands congregate at the That Luang to give offerings to
the monks and the temple and do a little shopping. There are also
traditional dances and ceremonies. At night the That Luang is lighted
up.
