Traditional New Year Bunpimay in Buon Don

Every year, on the occasion of the traditional Bunpimay (New Year Festival) or Hot Nam (Water Festival) of the Lao people, the Vietnamese people of Lao origin in Krong Na commune, Buon Don district, Dak Lak province organize many special activities; praying for a new year of favorable weather, bountiful crops, a prosperous and happy life, and a peaceful and prosperous country.

People participate in the water-splashing ritual during the traditional Bunpimay New Year in Buon Don.

In the Central Highlands, the most concentrated and populous Vietnamese of Lao origin live along the poetic Serepok River in Krong Na Commune, Buon Don District. This place is associated with many legends and many unique traditional cultural festivals, especially the legend of hunting and taming wild elephants, Buon Don Elephant Festival or Bunpimay Traditional New Year. Every year, the Bunpimay Traditional New Year is organized by the government and people from April 13 to 16 with many exciting and impressive activities. This event attracts a large number of local people and tourists to the legendary Buon Don land to learn about the traditional culture of Lao tribes.

During Tet, at pagodas, people put scented water (soaked from fragrant flowers) in jars, pots, buckets, basins, etc. to bathe Buddha and monks. People often weave Champa flowers into necklaces or put them in their hair and hang yellow poinciana flowers in their houses and cars to pray for good luck. One of the indispensable activities in the Bunpimay Festival is water splashing. This is considered the most typical ritual with the meaning of purification, washing away all bad luck, illness, etc. to welcome a bright and lucky new year. According to Lao beliefs, the more water is splashed on a person, the more wet their clothes, the happier they are because they believe they will have a lot of luck in the new year, and it is also proof that they are loved by many people. In addition, the activity of building sand towers also attracts the participation of many people, the sand is brought to the temple yard and decorated before being offered to the monks to show respect. People decorate flags, flowers, white cloth strings and sprinkle scented water on the sand tower, praying for good things and happiness in the new year. Within the framework of the Bunpimay festival, there are also activities such as: New Year celebration, health worship; Buddha bathing rituals, sand making, releasing flower lanterns on the Serepok River to wish all the bad luck of the old year to go away; wrist tying, water splashing ceremony; cultural exchange with songs, singing, Lam Vong dance, enjoying Lao culinary culture... In the joyful and bustling atmosphere of the traditional New Year Bunpimay held right on Ay No island of Buon Don suspension bridge tourist center, under the shade of ancient trees, people and tourists join in the Lam Vong dance, enjoy Lao folk songs mixed with traditional dances of the ethnic people here, with the content praising the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos and the solidarity of the community.

Vice Chairman of Buon Don District People's Committee Y Si That Ksor said: The traditional Bunpimay festival of Lao people in Krong Na commune, Buon Don district is organized by local authorities and people to show the preservation and respect of customs and practices of Lao people, contributing to fostering the traditional friendship between the people of Vietnam and Laos. This is also an opportunity for tourists to learn about the unique culture of Lao people in the majestic Central Highlands; at the same time contributing to preserving, maintaining and enriching the folk cultural treasure of the Vietnamese ethnic community in Dak Lak province.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/tet-co-truyen-bunpimay-tai-buon-don-248844.html