Welcome Home 'Baci Ceremony'
Vientiane, Lao PDR
Wedding Baci Ceremony
Baci - The most charming of all Lao customs. It is also called "SouKhouan". This ceremony appears to have become more of cheerful formality then just a simple ritual, but a few Lao would dare to undertake a long journey or initiate an important enterprise without participating. This is called a ceremony of prayers and good wishes. This kind of ceremony can be performed in the event such as welcome home, farewell, marriage, greeting family members or relatives after a long absence, greeting newborn, honoring achievement, recovery from illness.
In practice, a number of people sit around the Phakhouan (a center piece), which is decorated with flowers, folded bananas leaves and branches with white cotton strings hanging down; bananas, broiled eggs, pastries, cookies (Lao style), liquors and money are placed surrounding the base of the PhaKhouan as offering to the spirits in attendance.
The ceremony will not happen if there is no MorPhorn (Wish priest). Usually an elder who spent some times as a Monk - presides over the ritual. He lights the candals which have been placed on top of PhaKwan. He then gives prayers while all attendance hold their hands in a prayer-like, palm-together pose.
If there are too many participants for everyone to reach the base of the PhaKwan, it's permissible to touch the elbow of some who can reach it, thus forming a human chain.Later everyone takes a white string and ties around each wrist of the honored guests while wishpering a short, well-wishing recitation. Foods and drinks are served after the ceremony and following with a party.
There is no other culture in the world that practices this kind of ceremony, but the Lao people.
