Baci! Baci!

The baci ceremony is akin to a blessing by a local elder who is well versed in the ancient lore and chants. I believe it has its roots in shamanism and incorporated Buddhism into the ceremony.

Despite that, I do believe it is not religious in nature, and is now a form of blessing ceremony.

Some occasions that warrant such a blessing include wedding, moving into a new house, having a new born, going to a new country/ province for a long period of time and celebration of festivals.

Pi Mai Lao, the celebration of the Laos New Year, is one such occasion.

I was invited to many baci ceremonies during the 3 day period, and went to 3.

After the blessings by the local elder, one’s wrists are tied with threads by whoever wants to bless you. Blessings and well wishes such as, ‘I wish you happiness and success’, ‘I wish that you will be healthy’, ‘I wish that you will slim down soon’ etc, are uttered by the well wishers. The hand that is free, will have food such as eggs, cakes and biscuits stuffed into it. The best threads, are those that come tied with $$$. Yay!

This is followed by lan vong, the Laos traditional dance. Not forgetting the Lao Lao! The Lao version of whisky with at least 40% alcohol! Darn!

Like the sincerity of the people and how everybody just enjoyed the moment.