 In the Buddhist tradition practiced in Laos, any and all special occassions are marked by an event known as Baci (pronounced Bah See). Baci is staged for marriages, graduations, convalescents, deaths, going-away, for good luck etc... One of the many characteristics that Lao traditions inherited from the Hindu is that there are spirits for everything that exists, and a string represents a spirit. As a string is tied on a wrist, words welcoming good fortune or warnings for the bad spirits are spoken. Food items such as an egg are placed in the hand and the words are spoken softly while the string is being tied. The edible goods in the hand symbolize that anything the recipient desires is within his or her reach. When the person tying the string completes his or her offer of good fortune, the person receiving the string puts both hands together in a prayer position (vai) and says "khop jai" (thank you) or "saatoo". The string being tied to a wrist signifies that the spirit is bound to the recipient of the string. The spirit can not escape. Therefore, the recipient has a "guardian angel" protecting him or her. The process of string tying is called Boog Khan. The string must be white and can not be tied in just any old fashion. The string must be tied loosely so the person can untie it after three days without using knives or scissors. The spirit must be released gently. If the string is severed with a sharp object, then the spirit is not released, but destroyed - a bad omen. |
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