In this country animist beliefs still exist, including the belief that we each have 32 souls; one for each part of the body. These souls (or Khouanes) tend to escape and when they do, they are taken by other spirits causing bad luck and illness. So it is important to rekindle them at the ceremony of “Remember the Souls”

Close family & friends gather in a room with an altar of flowers. Strands of cotton radiate from the altar symbolizing the bonds with the world of the souls; cakes, fruits, alcohol, sticks of incense, candles and money are also laid out in order to encourage the souls to return. A wise old man officiates; surrounded by the family and guests, he lights 4 candles placed on top of the altar and prays to the gods. Using meditation and ritual chants, the wise one encourages the 32 souls to return and accept the offerings.

Lastly, everybody makes a wish and has a bracelet tied on their wrists in order to keep the returned souls. lively, happy it is in a now merry and animated environment that a cord will be fixed on the wrists of the present to retain the returned hearts The ceremony ends with a party to celebrate the return of the lost souls.

 

A country of deep beliefs and superstitions, Laos will plunge you into a world where worship of the spirits and traditional ceremonies are a part of everyday life. Births, deaths & marriage, New Year, voyages to be taken, or a patient who has been cured… There are many occasions calling for a specific ceremony to be conducted.   
«Sou Khouane" or “Ceremony of Baci” invoke the favorable conditions to bring health, happiness, strength and prosperity.

 

©D.R.

    For newly-weds (or couples wishing to have their marriage blessed according to the Laotian traditions) we can organize a Baci ceremony in the neighbouring village.

In Laos, legend says that lovers are predestined according to the breast (the love karma). In the sky is a marvellous garden where each individual has a tree whose branches embrace their soul mate. At the proper time, the couple are sent to the earth with their the wrists bound by a cotton yarn; but the " wind of the scissors that cuts and the wind of the knife that slices" separate the future couple who are born apart from each other. All their life, individuals seek their soul mate and when they found each other once more, the soul mates are reunited by a symbolic bond of cotton at ceremony of Baci. If the cord remains unbroken for more than 3 days on the wrists of newly-weds, then fortune will smile upon them.

 

        ©D.R.

 

If you are celebrating a special occasion during your stay at the resort, we can organize a Baci ceremony to celebrate this occasion and ensure that you have memories of Laos and the Lao people that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

 

        ©D.R.