By: Nicole Long – Laos country director
Well, there really wasn’t a winner, but thanks to all of you who did vote! It was kind of a tie between photo’s #2 and #3, so I decided to choose photo #2 since this festival is set to take place in Luang Prabang next month. You may not be able to tell due to the picture, but is actually from Boun Haw Khao Padap Din, also known as the Boat Racing Festival.
This festival is filled with religious and cultural rituals. For one, this is the day in which all Lao Buddhist families pay respect to their ancestors with offerings and ceremonies at their homes and/or temples all over the city. It is believed this is the day in which ancestors can return to the living and collect food, money, clothing, etc. that they would need in daily life (in the afterlife). Also, many of the temples around town host mini festivals on the temple grounds. There are usually games, food and a dance floor set up with live music a couple days before the actual festival day.
On the day of the boat racing, teams that have formed months prior compete on either the Nam Khan or Mekong River (depending on the water level). Dragon boats, long tail boats made specifically for the race, are brought down to the river and compete to win first place in the race. This happens all over the country but the biggest festivals are in Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
In Luang Prabang the streets along the river are filled with food vendors, shops, games and spectators. It’s best to either know someone who lives along the river or get to the competition early so that you can get a spot to actually see the races. The competition is all day, early morning until the late afternoon. People from all over the country come to watch this exciting event, including monks and novices like you see in photo #2. Usually there is not anywhere to sit so you must stand along the river bank to watch the races.
Here are some other photos I have captured of the festival over the years. Enjoy!
