In Laos, there are many festivals every year. The biggest festival, and everybody is waitting for, is called SONG KARN (water festival).
The festival lasts three days. The first of the three days is the last day of the old year. Houses and villages are cleaned properly on the first day. Perfume, water and flowers are also prepared for the Lao New Year. Water is used for washing homes, Buddha images, monks, and soaking friends and passers by. Students first repectfully pour water on their elders, teachers, then monks for their blessings for peace long life, and last of all they throw water to each other. The water is perfumed with flowers or natural perfumes. Some people prefer flowers in the water to give a pleasant smell, as well as adding perfume. Many people enjoy soaking water on Buddha images at the temple. Parents prepare traditional food such as: fried chicken, bamboo soup, green papaya salad and beer (beer lao). So most people in Laos enjoy having the traditional food, beer, soaking each other and passers by with water.
This is a really interesting piece T. You’re also the first to do your homework! My friend in Thaliand told me about the festival there, but I hadn’t realised you had a similar festival in Laos. The flowers in water sounds nice – I should try it in our house in the hall. It would be nice to come home to the fragrance of flowers.
Thanks you for reading my post by this late Damon !
if u have a chance you should visit those countires which have these kind of festival. Im sure that u will like it.
take care
T