Bunpimay - Unique traditional New Year of Lao people

Bunpimay this year takes place over 4 days (April 13, 14, 15, 16). This is also the hottest time of the year in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

People tie strings around each other's wrists for good luck.

The festival is meant to bring coolness and prosperity to all things, not only is it an occasion for people to pray for blessings and ward off bad luck, but it is also a time for people to bond with their families and communities. This festival has a strong cultural and spiritual imprint and represents the harmony between Buddhism and indigenous beliefs.

On the morning of the first day of Bunpimay, Lao people clean and tidy their houses, prepare scented water and flowers. People often weave Champa flowers into necklaces or wear them in their hair and hang yellow cassia flowers in their homes or cars during the New Year to pray for good luck; prepare traditional dishes to offer to pagodas and ancestors. Small gifts are also prepared to give to each other during the festival.

In the afternoon, people go to the temple to worship Buddha, pray, listen to monks preach, participate in religious ceremonies, visit temples, worship ancestors and release animals to create blessings.

Monks perform the Buddha bathing ceremony.

Then everyone joins in carrying the Buddha statue to a separate room and opens the door so that everyone can come in and bathe the Buddha. The fragrant water after being sprinkled on the Buddha statues will be collected and brought home, sprinkled on the heads of children and grandchildren, on all family members and

During the traditional Bunpimay New Year, one of the indispensable activities is water splashing. This is considered the most typical ritual on this occasion with the meaning of purification, washing away all the bad luck and illnesses of the old year, welcoming a fresh new year to come.

Splashing water with the wish to purify and wash away all bad luck and illness in the year.

To show respect, young people splash water on the elderly to wish them longevity and prosperity. Everyone, whether strangers or acquaintances, rich or poor, when welcomed by the host, receives the same warm feelings through the clean and cool water poured on them when visiting to wash away bad things, diseases and wish them a long and healthy life in the new year.

According to Laotian beliefs, the more water is poured on a person and the more wet their clothes are, the more luck they will have and at the same time, it will prove that they are loved by many people.

Tying a string around the wrist is a spiritual custom that has long been associated with the lives of Lao people and is indispensable during the New Year, with the meaning of bringing peace and luck to the person whose string is tied. They tie colored threads and send wishes of happiness and health to the person whose string is tied.

This custom, though simple, deeply reflects the gentle nature of the Lao people. They never pray for themselves, but only for others, because according to them, when they do good things for others, good things will come to them. During Tet, whoever has the most strings tied around their wrists is considered to have good luck all year.

People build sandbanks on the Mekong River during Bunpimay Festival.

In addition to the lucky rituals, during the Bunpimay Festival there are many other activities such as: releasing fish, birds, and turtles to do good deeds; welcoming the Spring Goddess; boat racing; building sand on the banks of the Mekong River...

In general, during Tet, Lao people organize entertainment activities with many diverse, rich and attractive forms suitable to the characteristics and customs of each region with the main concept of entertainment. Therefore, wherever there is drumming, music and Lam Vong dance, there is fun until morning but there is never any quarrel or fighting. That has created the unique identity of Lao culture.

Lao Bunpimay is not only unique but also has a strong cultural identity. Over the decades, Lao people have kept the rituals of Bunpimay intact. Bunpimay is not only an occasion to celebrate the New Year but also to pray for peace, happiness and blessings. This is also an occasion for families to gather together, share happy moments and wish for good things.

Tuan Minh (t/h)

Source: https://baobacgiang.vn/bunpimay-tet-co-truyen-doc-dao-cua-nguoi-lao-postid415954.bbg