Khmong New Year
The majority of the Khmong people live in the provinces of Xiengkhouang, Oudomxay and Luang Phabang. These means that December is the best month to head to these areas for New Year. The fun goes on all week, made up of numerous traditional events. In some ways the holiday is a chance to have fun – in other ways it’s an involvement in ancient traditional ritual. Expect to see amazing native dress, special festive dishes, dance, music, sports events and bull-fighting.
Seeing out the Old Year under a shaman’s watchful eye. Shortly before dusk the villages gather in a traditional location dug between two sacred trees – the main one, and the other one. A grass-woven rope is strung between the trees, and axes and knives are piled at the foot of the trees. At the shaman’s command all of the guests pass under the rope, go round the tree three times in one direction – and then in the other. This all helps to shed the problems of the outgoing year, and enjoy a New Year free of the burden of the past.
The blood of a sacrificed bird is spattered on the knifes and axes.
The rituals continue at home. The head of the family stands in the doorway and beckons everyone with a gone. He addresses the ancestors, and commands bad spirits to leave.
The New Year is marked in grand style in Phonsavan, the capital of Xiengkhouang province. Most companies and shops close down for several days. A special Market Village is opened on the outskirts of town, offering food, sport, entertainment and rides for children.
All of the Hmong villages celebrate New Year – but many from outlying villages prefer to go into the city to celebrate.
Football is the most popular sport. Once the match is over, some of the players go off for a ball game with their fiancées.
Kids having fun. Look how beautifully the girls are dressed?!
But the biggest spectacle is the New Year Festival of Brides. It dates back to the traditions of matchmaking festivals of yore. Girls arrive dressed in their finery, and begin playing a game of ball. The young people join them – initially standing on the sidelines.
They play ball games instead of dancing. The young couples stand in two lines, face-to-face, and throw a ball to each other. What else would you need for dating?
The girls can throw the ball to either girls or boys – but the guys can only throw it to girls
The dresses and jewelery are very often passed from sister to sister, or mother to daughter
Men even come from other countries to the Festival of Brides.
Most girls get married when they are 18.
If they get engaged at the Bridal Festival, young couples often marry in just a few days.
