Lisu New Year 2015 - Soppong

[DavidFL]

The 3rd night of 3 in Soppong.
2 earlier nights were for Lahu new year.

Soppong earlier in the day was a buzz with a huge Talad Nut, weekly market, but because of Lisu New Year it was packed with Lisu gals looking to buy new oufits for the new year.

The market was a stunning array of colour, vendors & hats

Onto the night & it was very slow to get going

The lighting was all wrong for photos, such that Joy from Soppong River Inn

& I let early disappointed with the pace of things.
So much for my Lisu New Year.

 

[Moto-Rex]

Lisu New Year 2015.

I was lucky enough to be Soppong for the 2015 Lisu New Year in February this year.

Witnessing these types of celebrations by the various ethnic minorities is one of the great things about riding in the north.
For two nights I stayed at the Soppong River inn, which was only one kilometre from where the main festivities took place.

The thing that amazes me is how they manage to keep their clothing so clean, when surround by dirt and dust at every turn.

This was the main food preparation kitchen, where each one of these ladies had a chopping block, a meat cleaver, and a big piece of meat which they turned into minced meat.

Once the meat was all diced up, it was into the big tub where the secret herbs and spices were add.

While the women were hard at work in the kitchen, the men tuned up there instruments for the dancing that was about to begin.

The numbers grew steadily as the day went on, with more and more beautifully dressed ladies arriving for the big night ahead.

It was certainly a colourful display, and everyone was having good time.

The main grandstand members were enjoying themselves with an ale or two.

Boy did I feel like a slob in jeans and a t-shirt next to these three ladies.

The dancing and costumes looked great during the day, but when I went back that night there were around 5 times as many Lisu in traditional dress, and it really did look pretty spectacular.

These night photos really don’t show the colour or the size of this amazing sceptical. The old saying “you had to be there”

Here’s a small clip of the day time activities, it was impossible to get any night footage with my camera.

If you ever get a chance to go this sort of event you should check it out.

Moto-Rex

 

[DavidFL]

Bloody hell you lucked out Rex, I was obviously a day or two early.
I thought of returning too, but was already locked into my next program.
Great photos - I'm very jealous.

 

[ianyonok]

Great stuff. These festivities are indeed wonderful to see. It is fantastic that the people want to keep their traditions alive.