Baci Ceremony

Baci ceremony or "Sou Khuane" is performed in Laos on local weddings, after birth of a child, after someone has recovered from a serious illness etc. One of the most important parts of this ceremony is the Phakhuane. It is a cone-shaped object made of banana leaves and flowers. If you do not have real things, colour paper, silk or plastic flowers will do.

Baci ceremony in Laos

Around Phakhuane there is food for Khuane (Spirit) - hard-boiled eggs, different fruit, rice, sweets, a bottle of some alcoholic beverage and boiled chicken. Baci ceremony is performed by a person called Mor Phon. He takes an end of a special white thread tied to Phakhuane and gives it to the person for whom the ceremony is performed. Some verses by Mor Phan are chanted. The whole ceremony lasts for about 30 minutes. At its end everyone says "Khuane Aeh Ma Deh” ("please come, spirit come”). After the ceremony people tie blessed white threads on wrists. This is done for good luck.