Feature: Getting wet, happy among traditions at Laos' New Year

A kaleidoscope of colored shirts, splashing water, music at high volume and enough merriment to put a smile on everybody's face, that is the spirit of Pi Mai Lao, as Laos' traditional New Year celebrations are known.

The annual event is celebrated over a three-day official holiday period starting Tuesday.

Yet like most festivities in Laos, the real party kicks off early.

With this year's Pi Mai Lao landing mid-week, many an employee in Laos has taken the chance to add a day of annual leave either side for an enviable 9-day vacation.

Across the country and abroad, Laos' multi-ethnic people are sharing the fun of the annual festival at parties with family, friends and colleagues.

Several days to celebrate and an easy-come, easy-go attitude means there is usually a chance to meet, greet and feast.

With water at the heart of the celebration (and its close analogs in Thailand's Songkran and related festivities in Cambodia and parts of Vietnam), there is a guarantee that you won't stay dry for too long.

Celebrated at the hottest part of the year and in advance of the arrival of annual rainy season, the splashing of water is a refreshing opportunity to cleanse oneself and others both literally and metaphorically, washing away stress from the trials and tribulations of daily life while renewing the bonds of familial and community solidarity.

Whether in capital Vientiane, a regional town or one of the small remote rural villages in the mountainous country of some 7 million, the scene is repeated in one form or fashion.

Like with most things Lao, an easy-going hospitality is at the essence of the celebration, meaning visitors and foreign residents alike can always feel more than welcome to join in the spirit of revelry, best described as joyful abandon.

Such a scene could be witnessed recently at the Vientiane studio of China Radio International (CRI) where local and Chinese staff celebrated together.

As with most important events in Laos, celebrations began with a Baci, the traditional ceremony that serves to realign and reinforce participants' physical and spiritual well being.

At a Baci, the male celebrant known as Mor Phon chants melodiously in both Lao and Pali, the language of Buddhist scripture with participants seated around a decorative centerpiece decorated with banana leaf and marigold flowers and white string.

Participants listen attentively, only to let out whoops of agreement at opportune times and toss raw rice grains over the assembled in merriment.

Immediately following, participants tie string around each others wrists while wishing each other the very best of fortune and prosperity for a long, happy and healthy life.

Before too long, it is time for what some consider the main game, the feasting.

Celebrant Mr. Korn said Pi Mai Lao was something for all to celebrate regardless of their origins, locals and foreigners alike.

"Lao people are known to be friendly, so we would like to welcome the people of the world and share this culture as we wash away misfortune and welcome good luck together," Mr Korn said.

Speaking to Xinhua, CRI Vientiane station manager Meng Long said Pi Mai Lao was an ideal time to share a rich cultural and culinary heritage while reinforcing the bonds between all members of the team, regardless of age, position or nationality. Endi