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| Tak Baht or Buddhist Alms Offering Ceremony |
 All throughout many countries of mainland Southeast Asia, the people practice Theravada Buddhism (learn more about the other schools of Buddhism, click here). In fact, the Lao New Year marks the number of years since the birth of the Buddha (Prince Siddhārtha Gautama).
In many of the villages and cities in Laos, life and culture heavily revolves around Theravada Buddhism. In some cases, the monks walk in procession down the road as lay people make alm offerings. These offerings are, however not, considered charity, rather its a sign of respect and spiritual connection with the Sangha (order of monks in the Wat or temple). Furthermore, these offering are also considered addition to one's merit or boun (it is believed that the more boun one has, the more likely that one will be re-born into a better life.)
In many places like the cities of United States, its not really practical for monks to walk in their saffron robes and sandals. Thus, many Lao people (as well as others of the Theravada school) participate in an ritual where they walk in procession with their alm filled bowls (usually silver or gold colored) as they put offerings inside the containers set on the table. It is this ritual that the Lao people refer to as Tak Baht. |
Nang Sang Khan Procession and Unity Parade
The Unity Parade is lead by 7 contestants of the beauty pageant. Each contestant represents the 7 daughters (and sevend days of each week) of the legendary Thao Kabinlaphrom who lost a bet to a three part riddle thereby loosing his head. (see section called About Lao New Years for more information).
Sukwan/Baci New Year Blessing Ceremony.
"Briefly the Baci is a ceremony to celebrate a special event, whether a marriage, a homecoming, a welcome, a birth, or one of the annual festivals. A mother is given a baci after she has recovered form a birth, the sick are given bacis to facilitate a cure, officials are honored by bacis, and novice monks are wished luck with a baci before entering the temple. The Baci ceremony can take place any day of the week and all year long, preferably before noon or before sunset. The term more commonly used is su kwan, which means “calling of the soul”. (for more information, laoheritagefoundation.org).
| Papaya Salad Contest |
For anyone that is interested in participating in the papaya salad contest, please download the form below:
 65 KB Papaya Salad Contest Form
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| About Papaya Salad |
| One of the many popular dishes in just about all parts of Laos is the papaya salad (which is called tum mak hoong or som tum). The word tum in laos means to smash, and the word mak means like fruit and hoong is the papaya fruit itself. Below are pictures of the papaya tree and the mortar that is traditonally used to blend and mix the ingredients. Although the recipes are very similar, papaya salad can come many different flavors (it could depend on what region of Laos one is from, or just personal style). |
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Sample Recipe
Supplies: Mortar & Pestle.
- Green Papaya (shredded – Julian style)
- Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 Fresh Lime (for juice)
- 2 Garlic Coves
- 4 table spoons Pa Dek
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 1 teaspoon MSG
- 3 table spoons Sugar
- 1 tablespoon of Fish Sauce
- 1 teaspoon of Crab Paste
- 1 teaspoon Shrimp Paste
- 3-8 Thai Chili Peppers (depending on the spiciness of the peppers and your preference)
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In a mortar crush salt, garlic and Thai Chili Peppers. Add shredded green papaya (2-3 loose handfuls). Add sugar, fish sauce, crab paste, shrimp paste, pa dek and 3 tablespoons of lime juice. Mix with pestle until all ingredients are infused together.
Serve on a plate over a bed of shredded lettuce or mixed greens. Optional garnishes include shredded cabbage, peanuts or dried shrimp.
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