VO Khmu ethnic people celebrates “Boun Krer”, which is a New Year festival of Khmu tribe
INTRO: Very recently, Khmu ethnic people celebrated “Boun Krer”, which is a New Year festival of Khmu tribe in Phakhao village, Saythany district, Vientiane capital, in the presence of high ranking officials. According to NA member for Luangprabang province, Colonel Bounthone Sithsouvong who is the host and Kmu himself, Khmu people customs and traditions, especially Krer has been practiced by ancestors for many hundreds years
STORY: Boun Krer started with the processions reflecting customs and way of life of Khmu people including sword dancing, seedling with stick digging in the ground locally known as “may sak khaohay”, drum beating and gong hitting.
Celebrants wore Khmu traditional costumes. A Baci ceremony was also held at the event. Baci bamboo tray was decorated and filled with agricultural produce, rice wrapped and boiled in banana leaves known as khaotom, sweets, and boiled chicken.
Alcohol fermented in earthen jar locally known as “Lao hay” drinking, Cheum-Khmu traditional song singing complemented with Khene sound were performed and enjoyed at the event.
Boun Krer is held annually. It is time the Khmu people pay their gratitude and respect to their ancestor Khoun Cheuang and crops, mainly taro and roots crops, which are staple of Khmu people since time immemorial.
Interview: Colonel Bounthone Sithsouvong, Khmu ethnic person
… Lao….
NA member for Luangprabang province, Colonel Bounthone Sithsouvong who is Kmu himself said that The Khmu, who are also known as Khamu or Kammu, were the indigenous inhabitants of northern Laos. Only the Lao population is larger.
At 10:00 am the traditional ceremony began. Participants paid respect to elderly and wished each other good health, happiness and more crops in the next harvest.
The most impressive and different aspect of this festival from those of other tribal groups in Laos is that while the traditional ceremony is going on, live chickens are cut to get blood. Participants got chicken blood to rub into the knees of the elderly and respective people, wishing them well. When the ceremony took place, food and drinks, especially boiled chickens and sticky rice whisky were served.
Followed the traditional ceremony, traditional dances, especially Phorn Lai Gnao were shown. While joining the cerebration, Colonel Bounthone Sithsouvong urged the people to increase their production, improving living conditions, reducing poverty and preserving traditions and culture.
Krer is closely connected to production and well-being of the people. If there is good harvest and high income, that year the Krer cerebration will be organized well and good band and plenty of food will also appear. In this year the harvest was good and the living conditions of the people improved so the Krer celebration is not bad, compared with previous years.
Colonel Bounthone Sithsouvong proudly said the Party and Government always pay attention on improving living conditions and preserving cultures of minority groups. Therefore Krer exists and helps the young generation to know traditions and customs.
According to the Article 8 of the Constitution of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the state pursues the policy of promoting unity and equality among all ethnic groups.
All ethnic groups have the rights to protect, preserve, and promote the fine customs and cultures of their own tribes and of the nation. The Party and Government encourage the people of all ethnic groups to preserve cultures. Khmu themselves also follow customs and traditions, especially Krer which was practiced by ancestors for many hundreds years. Therefore, Krer will be organized and best wishes "Sam Mai Ler Pi Hum May An Lam Ber Ler Yat" (happy new year, wishing happiness) will be heard again in next year.
