Lao women enjoy the water splashing festival in Dien Bien - Photo: NAM TRAN
In mid-April, the sounds of gongs and drums echo throughout Na Sang 1 village, Nua Ngam commune, Dien Bien district, Dien Bien province, inviting our Lao ethnic brothers and sisters from all over to celebrate the Bun Huot Nam festival (also known as the Water Splashing Festival).
Lao ethnic brothers and sisters from neighboring communes and districts in Dien Bien province, as well as Lao people living in the Lai Chau province area, gathered at Na Sang 1 early to share the joy of the biggest festival of the year.
The ritual of offering prayers and tying threads for good luck.
Many folk games reenact the process of settlement, village establishment, and the production and daily life of the Lao people, attracting a large number of participants.
Mr. Nong Quang Thang, Vice Chairman of the Dien Bien District People's Committee, said that Bun Huot Nam is the traditional New Year festival of the Lao people, and it holds significant importance in the cultural and spiritual life of the community.
"The festival is a prayer for favorable weather conditions so that the harvest will be bountiful, all things will flourish, and the misfortunes of the old year will be washed away, ushering in a new year filled with good fortune for all members, families, and the community," Mr. Thang said.
During the festival, the Lao ethnic people creatively showcased their unique folk games such as turtle hatching eggs, tiger attacking a pig, snake catching a frog, picking ripe melons, performing traditional dances and folk dances, tying threads on hands for good luck, and going from house to house to ask for water for good fortune.
Laotians believe water brings good luck, so they often live near rivers and streams, and on the New Year's water festival, everyone gets wet for good fortune; the wetter, the luckier.
Most notably, after the ceremony, all the ethnic groups, regardless of whether they were Laotian, Thai, or Hmong, joined in the joy of going down to the stream in Na Sang 1 village to participate in the water splashing, immersing themselves in the cool stream to cleanse themselves and purify their souls.
According to the beliefs of the Lao people here, the wetter you get, the more luck you will have.
"Every year the festival is so much fun and crowded like this. The best part is dancing, playing drums and gongs, and splashing water on each other. What we hope for most is a new year with favorable weather and everyone being healthy," shared Ms. Pi Thi Pang (41 years old, a Lao ethnic woman from Na Sang 1).
Attending the festival with her family, Ms. Lo Thi No (40 years old, of Lao ethnicity) expressed her wish for a peaceful and prosperous new year. The Lao woman's greatest hope is that her children and grandchildren will preserve and continue the beautiful culture of her people.
Everyone was excited to participate in splashing water in the small stream. The children were the most enthusiastic, having waited all year for this opportunity to splash water to their heart's content.
Not only Laotians but also a large number of Thai and Kinh people enthusiastically participated.
Lao women, dressed in colorful and beautiful traditional costumes, celebrate the Water Festival amidst lush green rice fields.
The Tet Water Splashing Festival (Bun Huot Nam) has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This is one of a series of events aimed at celebrating the National Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024 and commemorating the 70th anniversary of the historic Dien Bien Phu Victory.
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