The New Year is a very special time for Lao people. It's a time to share with friends and family where they sprinkle symbolic water, take part in a Baci ceremony, enjoy traditional food and of course dance, sing and enjoy a little beer Lao.
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| The Baci Ceremony |
It was very special for five supporters of LEOT to join the Laos community in the UK to welcome in the year 2556 in their celebration at Petts Wood on the outskirts of London.
We were amazed at the fantastic attendance with the hall full to bursting. Friends had come from far and wide to attend the party with one group coming all the way from France.
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| Welcome message |
The celebrations started with a welcoming address and a traditional Baci ceremony and then two lovely displays of Lao dancing.
The night was just warming up and we were treated to a veritable feast of Lao delicacies. It brought back memories of visits to Luang Prabang and the hospitality enjoyed eating with our friends.
I had imagined that Lao people living in England would be a little reserved and would not enjoy dancing and singing. Well I was completely wrong as soon as the food was completed the dancing commenced and was enjoyed late into the night by young and old.
I think the story is best told in picture so I set out below the story of our evening
I would like to say
Kop chai lai lai
to all our new UK Lao friends
from LAUK
Please come and join us for our BBQ
on the 4th August
