The Baasii ceremony is held in Laos to wish a person health and happiness, or to give thanks when a baby is born or something good has happened, and when people are travelling. It brings back the spirits to the person and is important if a person is travelling, to make sure they leave no spirits behind.
At the end of our 2008 caving expedition, during which time we had been working with the villagers, they arranged a ceremony for us. We had to supply a male and female chicken.
The shaman or bomoh performs the ceremony, by banging a drum and calling the spirits home, then when he is sure they are happy, he and all the village elders tie white cotton strings on the wrist of everyone. Offerings are put on a table and everyone has to lift the table. The chickens in the meantime have been slaughtered and cooked, and their innards and feet etc are checked to make sure the spirits are happy. Everyone then shares a meal. This is a brief outline of the ceremony.
Village shop -
The shaman -
Getting the food ready
We were invited inside -
the shaman greeted us
then smoked his pipe
whilst the lady killed the chicken
preparing bamboo for laolao
cutting up the chicken
villagers walk by
fire is nice and warm but smokey
the rice is cooking
the chicken is cooking
Shaman beats the drum for the spirits
Lighting the candles
Now it is time to tie the strings
The laolao is served -
we drink
the bamboo is refilled with laolao
Finally the food is brought in
Checking the chicken's feet to make sure the spirits are happy -
The local girls watch
Finally we stagger home
© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission
