At the time when Bo ma, a variety of wild flower that is used
as an offering of the Thai ethnic people to Then (genies), and hundreds
of varieties of wild flowers are in blossom and the area of Pu Nho Kho
Mountain is full of festive atmosphere, Thai people in Khong Lao
Commune, Phong Tho District, Lai Chau Province jubilantly prepare for
several traditional festivals.
The teams participating in the competition consist of the strongest men and women
from the hamlet with the hope of winning the prize.
Before the competitions, teams participate in catching fish in their traditional ways.
Old artisan Lo Pau in Khong Lao Commune who plays a Tinh
musical instrument at the Then festivals and ancient dance performances
of the Thai people, said: “As usual, every year when the competition
finishes, it often rains for 30 minutes.” According to their belief, the
genies provide rain to nourish the fields and also join the splashing
competition.
Probably
the most observed festival is the Water Splashing Competition. Although
nobody knows the exact origin of the festival, for the Thai ethnic
people of Vietnam it is a gala that raises community harmony and spirit.
At the time when Bo ma, a variety of wild flower that is used as an offering of the Thai ethnic people to Then
(genies), and hundreds of varieties of wild flowers are in blossom and
the area of Pu Nho Kho Mountain is full of festive atmosphere, Thai
people in Khong Lao Commune, Phong Tho District, Lai Chau Province
jubilantly prepare for several traditional festivals. Probably the most
observed festival is the Water Splashing Competition. Although nobody
knows the exact origin of the festival, for the Thai ethnic people of Vietnam it is a gala that raises community harmony and spirit.
observed festival is the Water Splashing Competition. Although nobody
knows the exact origin of the festival, for the Thai ethnic people of Vietnam it is a gala that raises community harmony and spirit. The teams participating in the competition consist of the strongest men and women
from the hamlet with the hope of winning the prize.
The sorcerer offers Bo ma flowers to invite Then to participate in the competition with the villagers.
Before the competitions, teams participate in catching fish in their traditional ways.
The
water splashing competition of Thai ethnic people in Nam Lum also
attracts a large number of Dao people in Ma Ly Pho and Mong people in
Dao San.
When the competition ends, teams often splash water from the stream, thought to be Then water, on audiences.
According to the Thai ethnic people, the village team winning the competition will have a bumper crop the following year.
The
competition is held between numerous hamlets in the area and each
hamlet has a team that includes both females and males. There is no
limit to the 
number
of players each team can have and the goal of the competition is to get
the rival teams as wet as possible and not fall down. The Thai people
believe that during this competition, the wetter they get, the more
prosperous and luckier they will become.
number
of players each team can have and the goal of the competition is to get
the rival teams as wet as possible and not fall down. The Thai people
believe that during this competition, the wetter they get, the more
prosperous and luckier they will become.
The
competition held at the sacred Lam Lum Stream (according to Thai
folklore the stream was put there by genies), often attracts the
participation of thousands of people who dress in their colourful
traditional outfits. During the most solemn rite when the old men start
praying, all participants seem to perceive the harmony of heaven and
earth and have a strong belief that a bumper crop will follow the
festival.
The
festival is the harmonious combination of spiritual desires and
reality, bringing about happiness for each person. It is one of the
unique festivals of Vietnamese ethnic people that need to be preserved
and promoted.
(Source: Vietnam Pictorial)
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