Boun Suang Heua or the Boat Racing Festival, usually happens between August and September in Luang Prabang. This year, we followed the Phanluang team in their preparations for what is one of the most important and popular festivals in Luang Prabang, attracting visitors from all over the country.
On this balmy morning – bear in mind that it’s still 6 a.m. and the temperature is going to go way up later on during the day – we’re following Moonoy, our Retail Manager, through the morning market. A short stroll to get you acquainted with food that you might not be familiar with depending on where you live… A little introduction so you “don’t yuck (my) yum!” on your (next) visit to Laos!
Sabaidee Pi Mai Lao! Happy New Year! Lao New Year is celebrated annually in mid-April and is known as “Pi Mai” in Lao. In Luang Prabang, the celebration usually lasts for three days, starting on April 14th and ending on April 16th. This year, it was the first full-fledged celebration since borders had closed in March 2020. So you can bet the town went all out!
After Khmu New Year, it’s now time to celebrate Hmong New Year. As mentioned previously, in Laos the different ethnic groups don’t all celebrate the new year at the same time. If Lao New Year is celebrated in April, the Hmong community celebrates the new year between December and January. We joined the celebrations in Ban Vang Ngern last week! Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab (Happy New Year in Hmong)!
In Laos, the different ethnic groups don’t all celebrate the new year at the same time. If Lao New Year is generally celebrated in April, the Khmu community celebrates the new year between December and January. We happily joined the celebrations in Ban Lak Pad last week! Sum Mai Lur Pi Ham Me (Happy New Year in Khmu)!
Meet Ramzia Khorami and Maryam Omar, two vanguards bringing Afghan jewellery and Silk Road-era crafts to the contemporary global marketplace. Ramzia handcrafts Afghan jewellery using traditional techniques. Maryam manages Turquoise Mountain’s Design Center (listen to the previous episode featuring the organization). This is a rare opportunity to hear about the country’s burgeoning crafts and design sector directly from Afghan women.
Our co-founder Veomanee Douangdala talks about Ock Pop Tok’s efforts to integrate sustainable tourism management and local community empowerment.
Cultural heritage is central to our work at Ock Pop Tok so we were honoured when Veo was invited to participate in the conference “Heritage Protection: The Asian Experience” held by the Siam Society’s regional office in Bangkok Thailand January 25-26, 2019.
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