VIENTIANE; Residents and visitors are celebrating the end of Buddhist Lent with religious ceremonies and traditional festivities along the Mekong River, culminating in the capital’s annual Boat Racing Festival on October 27.
Boun Ork Phansa, which marks the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent, falls on October 26 this year. On the morning of the festival, people rise early to visit their local temples and offer food and other gifts to monks as a way of making merit.
In the evening, crowds of people, particularly young couples, gather along rivers to take part in Lai Heua Fai, or the floating of decorative banana-leaf boats. The small boats are adorned with flowers, candles and incense sticks before being released onto the water to pay respect to the river and symbolically wash away bad luck.
Mrs Nom Saymongkoun told the Vientiane Times she usually visits the Mekong riverside to take part in the tradition and pray for good fortune.
“I will go to the river at about 7pm, when it’s not too crowded. I will place some of my nail clippings on the boat to carry away my bad luck and enable good fortune to enter my life,” she said.
Buddhist Lent began on July 29 and traditionally provides a period for monks and novices to concentrate on religious studies, meditation and spiritual development. During the three months of the rainy season, monks generally remain at their temples and avoid travel unless necessary.
After Ork Phansa, monks are free to resume travelling, visiting other temples and spending time in local communities to share Buddhist teachings.
In many parts of Laos, the end of Buddhist Lent is followed by Boun Xuang Heua, or the Boat Racing Festival, which also marks the approaching end of the rainy season. The festival is traditionally associated with good fortune for farmers and hopes for an abundant harvest.
According to the Lao tradition known as Hid Sip Song Khong Sip Si, which refers to customary practices observed throughout the year and traditions inherited from ancestors, boat racing is linked to the story of Thao Khamphaphinoy.
Vientiane’s Boat Racing Festival combines longboat races, Buddhist ceremonies, cultural performances and a lively street market. The event is an opportunity for local vendors to sell their wares and for visitors to experience Lao traditions.
Chairman of the Chanthabouly District Administration Committee, Mr Seangathit Phimmeuang, said the festival helps preserve national customs, brings tourists to Vientiane, promotes locally made products, and stimulates trade to support the local economy.
Boat crews representing different districts will compete in the races. The 30-crew category is reserved for men, while the 12-crew category is open to both male and female competitors.
Together, the religious observances and festive atmosphere highlight the importance of Buddhist traditions and community spirit. This much-loved annual event holds appeal for all local residents, when everyone turns out to enjoy the different aspects of the varied celebrations. - Vientiane Times
