Joanna James
Though dubbed the “Land of a Million Elephants,” Laos as a nation celebrates a series of festivals throughout the year. Offering valuable cultural insights and reasons to mix and mingle, here are 6 of the very best festivals.
Mirroring the scenes that you would normally associate with Thailand’s Songran Water Festival, the Water Festival or ‘Bunpimay’ is held across Laos and witnesses locals and their families gather in large numbers. Held from the 14th to the 16th of April every year, Bunpimay involves engaging in religious practices ahead of the dawn of Lao New Year. As a visitor, you will see how people clean their homes, listen to sermons at local temples and wash Buddha statues in water. The water collected is thereafter splashed on homes, livestock, tools and also on themselves. If out and about during these days, be prepared to be drenched from head to toe by giggling kids.
Celebrated through a number of villages in Pakngum District and during May, Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival is an opportunity to honour and show gratitude to Mother Nature. During this festival, locals pray to the gods for a fruitful harvest and life as well. Puppet performances are one of the main talking points while the launching of homemade rockets successfully encapsulates the spirit of Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival.
The Laotian festival of That Luang is one of the biggest Buddhist festivals in the country. Importantly, the festivities occur at Pha That Luang in the nation’s capital of Vientiane, thought to be the most revered Buddhist temple in Laos. Customarily held a week prior to the full moon of the 12th month of the Buddhist calendar, That Luang Festival is associated with various rituals. However, the primary draw of this celebration is the procession of the sacred tower or ‘Pha Sat Phong’ that begins at Me Xi Murong Temple and concludes at That Luang. The said tower is replete with eye-catching architecture and features wax flowers and 9 white lotus flowers at its summit, which is symbolic of the festival’s deep-rooted spiritual meaning.
Commemorated to mark the end of Buddhist Lent and commonly referred to as the “Festival of Lights,” the appeal of Awk Phansa Festival is underpinned by a slew of traditions. Notably, the practice of lighting candles inside homes, temples, sanctuaries and on streets is conducted to this very day by fervent devotees. However, the entertainment element of Awk Phansa Festival is what attracts both locals and foreign nationals. Witnessing floating fireboats and boat races on the waters of the mighty Mekong River stands testament to how the locals come together in a spirit of brotherhood. Also, Awk Phansa Festival is habitually scheduled on the 15th day of the 11th lunar month.
Aside from the grand procession and candle offering ceremonies that are held to pay homage to the local water dragon deity, it is the highly competitive boat race of Suang Huea Boat Racing Festival that gets everyone talking. Organised just after the end of Buddhist Lent, the boat race sees the country’s finest oarsmen take to the waters of the Mekong River in order to secure the highest honour and bragging rights.
Dedicated to family members who have passed, the traditions that comprise Boun Khao Padabdin Festival would make for a fascinating insight into Laotian culture. Held in August and in the former capital of Luang Prabang, this festival is recognised for its solemn ambience as well as its fun-filled atmosphere, particularly surrounding the dragon boat race that takes place on Nam Khan River. The meritorious act of offering alms to Buddhist monks as they walk through the streets of Luang Prabang come sunrise is emblematic of the sacred nature of Boun Khao Padabdin Festival. For those thinking of visiting Lao during this period, then it would make sense to look for a place to stay at the earliest. For example, consider Avani+ Luang Prabang Hotel, which offers pleasing accommodation and a host of things to do in Luang Prabang.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
