Sabaidee Pi Mai (Lao New Year)

Pi Mai is arriving and we can expect plenty of fun and mostly water-splashing and throwing celebrations in the coming days in just about everywhere in Vientiane and the entire country. Just like in many Buddhist majority countries in the lower Mekong basin the Lao New Year often coincides with the water festival that is celebrated in Thailand, Cambodia and as far as Sri Langka and India.

Like Songkran in Thailand, Pi Mai has traditionally been celebrated and is believed to have been adapted from an Indian festival. During the weeklong celebration, the people here will first clean their houses, the Buddha images at the Wats or temples. The water is often perfumed with flowers or natural perfumes. Some people prefer flowers in the water to give a pleasant smell, as well as adding cologne/perfume. The original idea of watering was said to come from the legend of King Kabinlaphom, whose seven daughters kept his severed head in a cave. The daughters would visit their father's head every year and perform a ritual to bring happiness and good weather.

Over the years another tradition has developed with the Lao New Year: people will smear or throw cream (shaving cream or whipped cream) or white powder on each other during the celebrations. They will then wish other happiness and prosperity. The simplest form of greeting is "sokdee sabaidee pi mai"

I hope I will be able to post some photos of the celebration here. Sokdee sabaidee Pi Mai :-)

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