Lao Voices

I was talking to my Grand-Mama over the weekend and she told me about Boun Haw Khao Thip, which will take place tomorrow. For this event, the villagers will gather themselves in groups, mostly 6 to 10 families and make pha khao with only sweet food for offering at their local temple. Each pha khao will be filled with all sort of kanom and desserts. Then the villagers will take the pha khao to the temple to be blessed by the monks.

The next morning there will be a Morning Alms Giving. After breakfast, the name of the monks at the temple will be drawn for one pha khao. If there is any pha khao left after the drawing, then the villagers will be able to share the pha khao among themselves.

Grand-Mama told me how people at her village always managed to come up with at least 52 pha khao for the celebration. Last year it was 54 pha khao. Now there are more novice monks at the temple so the villagers will no doubt make more pha khao for offerings and have a one big boun together.

Boun Haw Khao Thip is also a signal for the up and coming Boun Suang Huer or Boat Racing Festival. After this celebration the villagers will have to wait three more weeks for Boun Suang Huer. Hopefully we will be able to see the photos of Boun Haw Khao Thip in a couple of weeks.