Sao Lao

After I ate some Banh Cuon with Grand-Mama I went next door to take some photos of the cooking for Boun Loy Vanh later that evening. My aunt N and her neighbors were busy making lunch for the helpers before I went to Pakse market. When they saw my face the first thing they said to me was “go eat lunch”. I told them I ate a little bit with my Grand-Mama but a few of the ladies said I will have a long day so go eat some more. To be polite I walked back to aunt P’s house and sat with a group of people and ate the same meal that have been prepared for all the helpers of Boun Loy Vanh.

Later, I decided to take some photos and recorded Grand-Mama and her friends making Pha Khuan for the next day. She has decided to Phook Khuan for me after the Morning Alms Giving. I felt somewhat useless since no one would let me do anything. All my relatives and neighbors were all making a comment about how I wouldn’t know how to cook or do anything since I am from the US. I don’t know if they were just teasing me or really thought that I have such an easy life and wouldn’t even know how to cook sticky rice.

Grand-Mama told me that is okay to just observe and take pictures and do some recording. That way all my uncles and my Papa in the US can see what they did for Grand-Papa. My job for the most part was to document the event and show the people who sent the money for Boun Loy Vanh how their dollars were spent. Grand-Mama was not able to afford the event on her own.

I don’t have much understanding about Boun Loy Vanh. My parents didn’t do one for my deceased sister. This is the first Boun Loy Vanh that I have attended. All I know is that after someone passed away a Boun Loy Vanh is to take place on the 100th days (Loy Vanh) of the passing of that person. As you can see there are many personal items that are offered during a ceremony. This is to help my Grand-Papa in the after life, according to a Buddhist tradition.

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