Saturday 19 October 2013

Résidant dans le Sud-Laos et dans les hauteurs du Centre-Vietnam, le peuple Katu a développé un art typique, unique, et audacieux. Cette exposition veut mettre en lumière ces traits distinctifs et originaux de cette ethnie.

Tissages intriqués, vanneries, scuptures sur bois sont les principaux éléments de cette expositions. Un intérêt tout particulier sera apporté aux décorations utilisées pour la maison communale. Traditionnellement, ce lieu de réunion est le point central du village, où les membres de la communauté se réunissent pour effectuer les rites importants, y compris le sacrifice de buffle. des vidéos de ce rituel annuel et des activités quotidiennes permettront aux visiteurs d’assister et de mieux percevoir les spécificité du peuple Katu.

Cette exposition ouvre le 20 Septembre 2013 et sera en place pendant un an.
Le billet d’admission générale pour les arts traditionnels et le Centre d’ethnologie comprend l’accès à cette exposition.

This is the "Lai Heua Fai" Festival, the festival of the fire boat.

The day is celebrated by illuminated boat processions handmade with bamboo and banana trunks, colourfully decorated with candles and money. Each family has to make one, each people has to throw out one illuminated little boat on the Mekong, wishing good luck for the future and paying respect to the spirit of the waters. This is more than 20000 boats down slowly the river during the night...

In Luang Prabang, a big parade happens that day. Most of the village of the town (around 20) are building their own big boat, competing every year for the most beautiful one. Ethnic groups are wearing their traditional clothes, people singing, chanting, dancing, fireworks are launched all around...

This is certainly the most attractive and impressive festival in Luang Prabang all year.

After three months restricted to their temples, learning dharma and practicing meditation, the Buddhist monks once again return to their social duties and are welcomed with offerings of food and gifts. For three months, it was the rainy season, the period of calm in Laos (no wedding, no parties except the religious one).

This is the end of Buddhist Lent, it’s also time for another big celebration, the last boat race that takes place in Xieng Ngeun, 30km from the centre town.