VIENTIANE: The Phi Ta Khon Festival, widely known as the Masked Ghost Festival, will take place from January 31-February 2 in Paklai district, Xayabouly province.
The festival is an annual event and always takes place over three days in the first month of the year, the dates being selected by the town’s mediums.
The whole event is called Boun Phavet, part of a Buddhist merit-making festival.
The first day features the ghost festival, when local residents invite protection from the Phi Ta Khon, the spirits of people’s eyes.
They take part in a series of games and a procession, wearing masks made of rice husks or coconut leaves with hats made from rice steamers, plus patchwork clothing. They also wear bells and wave wooden phalluses.
The origins of this part of the festival are traditionally ascribed to the Vessantara Jataka story in which the Buddha in one of his past lives as a prince made a long journey and was presumed dead. The celebrations on his return were so raucous as to wake the dead.
The second day of the festival incorporates elements of the rocket festival, along with costume and dance contests and more parades.
On the third and final day, villagers listen to sermons given by monks.
For the people of Xayabouly, the Phi Ta Khon Festival preserves local customs and passes folk traditions on to younger generations, while also strengthening the province’s appeal as a tourist destination.
Xayabouly is situated in northern Laos about 300 kilometres from Vientiane. It has many attractions for visitors including 29 officially designated nature-based attractions, 12 sites of cultural interest, and six places with historical associations, so it is well worth spending some time exploring the area.
The province is relatively undeveloped but is readily accessible within Laos and from neighbouring countries and contains a National Protected Area that is rich in biodiversity, so nature lovers are sure to enjoy their time here. - Vientiane Times/ANN
