Lao New Year: Awash With Good Fortune, Food and Fun
A closer look at the origin of Lao New Year, the different days and its significance and how families celebrate
Written by: Victoria Lasavath
Edited by: Dorothy Culloty
Lao New Year or Boun Pi Mai is one of the most important festivals and start of the New Year in Laos. Lao New Year typically takes place in the middle of the hot summer season. Celebrations take place every year around mid-April, although festivities can last longer depending on the region.
The holiday consists of three days emphasizing acts of good deeds, water, sand, animals and flowers.
Day One: Sangkhan Luang: the first day of the New Year is considered the last day of the previous year. It is common for families to clean their homes and villages and prepare water, perfume and flowers for the upcoming days.
Day Two: Sangkhan Nao: Known as the “day of no day,” the second day is neither part of the old year nor the incoming year. It is meant for relaxation and merriment with friends and family
Day Three: Sangkhan Kheun Pi Mai: The third day is the official start of the Lao New Year - locals dress in their finest silk clothes and make offerings at the temple. Younger generations will pay respect to their elders by rinsing their hands with water and ask for blessings and forgiveness for any wrongdoings in the past year to start the new year anew. Family gatherings later in the day bring together different communities that host spirit-enhancing ceremonies for luck and prosperity
Photo Lao Food Foundation: Baci ceremony at Lao Food Retreat in Luang Prabang
Lao New Year Makes a Splash
It is not uncommon to want to layer in water-proof attire on Lao New Year. At the heart of many Lao New Year celebrations, water is very present from bathing Buddha images in temples, to showering religious sculptures with jasmine-scented water and petals. Monks provide the water and blessings for the crowds of families rushing to the temple and also offer white baci strings tied around wrists. Be prepared to either get wet and/or doughy when venturing out for Lao New Year celebrations. People of all ages, especially the younger kids, will use everything from water hoses and bottles to water guns while throwing flour, shaving cream or baby powder.
The other core part of this important holiday and Lao culture is the food, preparation, and artistry behind it. Many aunties will start planning the menu way ahead of time for many celebrations in the Lao community and Lao New Year is no exception. It is a big, elaborate holiday centered around food. Common items include but not limited to:
Egg rolls
Khua mi or Lao stir-fried noodles
Thum mak hoong or papaya salad
Khao poon or (traditionally chicken) red curry vermicelli soup
Pho Lao or beef noodle soup
Saigok or Lao-style sausage
Lao Steak and jeow or dip
Sakoo yat sai or Lao tapioca dumplings
Khanom nap or sweet sticky rice coconut dumpling
Khao piak sen or chicken noodle soup
Khao soy or coconut curry noodle soup (traditionally in Southern Laos and Thailand as the Northern Laos’ version omits coconut milk)
Nam khao or Lao crispy fried rice
Another prominent Lao New Year dish is laab. Historically, laab signifies prosperity and good fortune, as meat wasn’t accessible to all families. In today’s world, you will see your fair share of this beloved Lao dish. However you spin it, it is something that many Lao people look forward to.
Photo by Lao Food Foundation
Key ingredients for beef laab
beef (cut of choice)
fish sauce
padaek
beef bile
msg
tripe
toasted rice powder
dried pepper
lime leaves
galangal
shallot
green onion
cilantro
mint
Old and New Ties
Stateside, you will see some Lao restaurants pay homage to the New Year in their own way such as preparing a special menu as Chef Soulayphet “Phet” Schwader of Khe-Yo in New York City has done. He and his mother, Soubanh Whitson, work together to curate a holiday meal all week long. Items include: dishes as comforting as laab, mok pa (another Laotian staple involves fresh water fish which is steamed fish in banana leaves with dill and padaek), and thom kem, braised pork with ginger and hard-boiled eggs. Soubanh prepares and performs a spiritual cleansing exercise (su-kwan). Traditionally, this ceremony is an orchestrated affair with silver bowls and group prayer; however, for Chef Phet and his mother, their version is kept simple. Soubanh blesses someone with their hand out receiving the blessing and the white string to create space for positive energy.
How do you and your family celebrate? What activity and dish do you look forward to most? Let us know in the comments!
Victoria Lasavath
Lao Food Foundation
Communication and marketing support
Los Angeles, CA