Luang Prabang traditions a sight to behold
Domestic and foreign visitors in World Heritage listed Luang Prabang last weekend were delighted to be involved in traditional Lao ceremonies to mark the end of Buddhist Lent.
Luang Prabang is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Laos and the world, attracting visitors through its rich heritage and culture.
As a Vientiane Times reporter I have visited Luang Prabang many times, but never during the festival to mark the end of Buddhist Lent. On my recent visit I was accompanied by two Lao television reporters who were also yet to experience Luang Prabang at this time of the year.
Celebrations marking the end of Lent in Luang Prabang are quite different from Vientiane where laiheuafai (floating of candle-lit banana leaf boats) and vientian (candlelight processions around temples) take place.
Instead of these, Luang Prabang has laiheuafai, where residents from each village of the town build a boat adorned with candles and colourful decorations. The boats are paraded from the provincial administration office to Vat Xiengthong, where they are launched on the Mekong River.
The town’s residents take pride in maintaining the ancient traditions and cultural customs handed down from their ancestors.
Almsgiving during the end of Lent is a nationwide tradition and Luang Prabang is no exception. People rise early to prepare khaotom (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf) and other food to offer to monks at their local temple.
Young and old devotees alike don their traditional Lao clothing and patiently wait on footpaths in the centre of town early in the morning.
Soon after, more than 300 monks from the 10 temples in the Xiengthong area proceed through the town centre accepting offerings from the people.
It was a delight to see foreign tourists arising early and dressing appropriately to take part in this fine Lao tradition.
In the evening another cultural activity is to be enjoyed when local people light candles outside their homes and set off fireworks all around town.
Residents also proudly display hand crafted boats, colourfully decorated and featuring nagas and lotus flowers, outside their homes. Temples throughout the town also display the beautiful boats made by monks and novices.
The laiheuafai ceremony tak es place on the evening of October 5 and sees local residents and tourists mingling and enjoying the festive atmosphere together.
To enjoy a different view of the candle-lit banana leaf boats flowing gently down the Mekong, many tourists hire a boat to take them out on the river where they can take memorable snapshots and also enjoy a pleasant meal.
“It is our first visit to Laos, and Luang Prabang, and we were so pleased to be here during this beautiful traditional festival. We initially planned to stay for just a few days, but we’ve decided to extend our visit,” said a couple from Ireland.
“This is a great experience and we plan to come here again because of the lovely culture and Lao people.”
The charming traditions of Buddhist Lent in Luang Prabang touch many tourists and it is inspiring to see local people respecting and preserving the traditions and cultures practised by their forebears before them.
My visit gave me comfort that the charms of Luang Prabang will continue to attract and impress visitors for a long time to come.
At the end of this month cyclists from Laos and Thailand, mainly Luang Prabang and Chiang Rai provinces, ill take part in an 8-day bicycle tour of northern Laos, supported by the Chiang Rai Tourism Organisation.
**[SIZE=2][SIZE=2]By [/SIZE][/SIZE]****Panyasith Thammavongsa **[SIZE=2][SIZE=3][SIZE=2][SIZE=2](Latest Update [SIZE=2][SIZE=2][SIZE=2][SIZE=3][SIZE=2]October 10,[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE] 2009)[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]
Bron: Vientiane Times / http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/