This evening ceremony is among the most fascinating of Laotian cultural traditions. My wife and our daughter, then only four years old, participated in a Baci ceremony and thought it was the highlight of our visit to Luang Prabang.
The Baci ceremony pre-dates the arrival of Buddhism in Laos (8th century) and is considered the most respectful form of welcome. During the ceremony, selected individuals tie strings around their wrist believing the strings will protect the wearer. It is suggested the strings must not be removed for at least three days. The ceremony is highlighted by the accompaniment of music and traditional dance.
It's a very moving ceremony. The experience remains unmatched for our family. Laos is certainly a place you should consider visiting with your family. You can check out our full Laos itinerary here (paste this into your browser): http://kiplingandclark.com/pagesNew/KC_Thai_Cambodia_Fam_Itin.pdf
By the way, the beautiful picture above is of Wat Mai, the largest temple in Luang Prabang, in north central Laos on the Mekong River.
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