Sokdi Pi Mai – Happy New Year!

In Southeast Asia, it seems that the New Year is celebrated at a different time in every country. In Laos, it is in mid-April. It is a wild mixture of tradition, family visits and techno parties. The most important thing, however, is water, because Pi Mai is also supposed to gently usher in the rainy season.

That's why a lot of water is poured and sprayed onto passers-by and passing mopeds and tuk-tuks using bowls, water pistols, hoses and whatever else is available. What is simply great fun today, especially for young people but also for old people, has its roots in tradition and religion.

Pi Mai is actually celebrated on three days: the last day of the old year, the day between the years and the first day of the new year. On these days, all relics and Buddha statues in the wats are ritually cleaned. The water is collected and can be taken home so that the home can also be subjected to a cleaning ceremony, flushing out the old and bringing good luck to one's own four walls.

Of course, you also want to wish everyone around you luck for the new year, so what better way to do that than to pour plenty of water over them? At over 40°C, these semi-voluntary showers are also a welcome way to cool down and bring a great feeling of happiness for the moment.

For us, this festival is also the start of our life here in Laos. We can't yet say whether we will stay here until next Pi Mai, but we are happy to take the great happiness that we have been showered with with us.

Robert