Lahu New Year 2015 - Soppong

DavidFL

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A sweet chilly 3 nighter in Soppong (or PangMapha) at the Soppong River Inn to check out Lahu (& Lisu New Year.)

The masterplan was to rock up a day early & pick up on the early morning Lahu spirit ceremonies that I had never seen.

Be here at first light - sunrise I was told by the villagers!
Sunrise - first light was about 6-6.15AM I reckoned & would be damn cold with temps around 8-10 celsius. So, yeah yeah I thought, I know how you guys operate, probably more like 7am something might happen. I could lay in bed a bit longer maybe.
I was in bed early, full clothed to be ready to go at first light. You have to get up otherwise you're defeating the purpose of the early arrival so I convinced myself.

AND it was cold! 8 Celsius.

The first light at the Pang Mapha viewpoint
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I cruised on down into Lahu Luk Khao Larm, half expecting the place to be still asleep, but nope the village was a hive of activity.
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Dam Hua was the ceremony & each household has to pay respect to other household elders.
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Villagers were rushing around everywhere, from house to house.
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And indeed it was a bit of a non stop frenzy going on....People were coming out of every nook & cranny I thought.....
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For some it was easier to do the rounds by motorbike
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More to come
 
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DavidFL

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So how goes the dam hua ritual

The hands of the house elder are washed by the visitors
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Then a blessing is given to the visitors
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The house elder is given items
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pork
tea
sticky rice
a leaf?
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the offerings are stored in baskets to the side
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Then its off again, more gifts & more hands cleansing
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Offerings
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Water
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It's done at a fast pace, non stop house to house & I found it hard to keep up with what was going on, who was going where.

Meanwhile the kids hung out in the playground letting off firecrackers.
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Not everyone is impressed maybe
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More to come...
 
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DavidFL

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In the evening there's dancing around a "spirit mound."
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A candle is lit & kept burning throughout the night.
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Everyone joins in & dances away, going round in a circle.
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It's cold & elders keep small fires burning beside the dance floor to keep warm.
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The candle burns down & a new one is lit
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The dancing & night goes on
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Lahu New Year is held in February or March every year.
This year it seemed to coincide with Chinese New Year.

Some other Lahu New Year Reports on GTR here

Lahu new year 2011

Ban Pang Ma Hun (on the way to Hua Mae Kham past Thoed Thai) 5th February 2011 8am- 5pm. Ceremonies to include: - Rod Nam Dam Hua (calling on the ancestors for their blessing); - Tam Kap Pook (the pounding of rice with sesame to produce a special Lahu food); - Traditional Lahu entertainment...
www.gt-rider.com www.gt-rider.com

Lahu New Year Luk Khao Larm 2009

Snowed under & was hoping for some other riders to get the ball rolling as promised, but.....ZILCH So just a few snaps to get it started. En route Om's coffeeshop outside the Soppong River Inn Dare I say it - the best cappuccinos between Chiang Mai & Mae Hong Son. As a regular "drop...
www.gt-rider.com www.gt-rider.com

Lahu New Year 28 Jan 2012

The Lahu New Year is being celebrated in every Lahu village from 21st to 28th January. Then they will all get together at Ja Pue village, Pahtueng on 28th January 2012. Judging by photos from previous years this will be quite a spectacle, with a lot of people there. To get there you head west...
www.gt-rider.com www.gt-rider.com

Cheers. I hope you enjoyed the scene. It was a lot of fun for me.
 
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Rod Page

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This is an excellent report David into the culturally enriching experiences that are available to those living in northern Thailand (willing to rise early though not necessarily go to bed fully clothed!)

A well documented pictorial account makes for a precious historical record of the event - in addition to hill-tribe life & the colour surrounding these people, you have managed to capture the joy & sincerity of those participating adding greatly to the reader's enjoyment of the report.

Get back out there reporting young man!
 
Moto-Rex

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Going to these festivals is a great part of riding in the North.

Great photos David.

Moto-Rex
 
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