One hundred kilogrammes of marigolds were collected to decorate a 7-metre high makbeng for the baci ceremony at the third Elephant Festival held in Xayaboury province earlier this month.
This massive makbeng was assembled for the elephant blessing ceremony in Xayaboury province.
The richly decorated centrepiece was the largest ever to be made in Xayaboury province, and was created entirely from natural materials, mostly banana tree stems and bamboo in accordance with tradition.
Xayboury hosted its third Elephant Festival in the provincial capital from February 14 to 15. Activities included a baci to bless the elephants, with the huge makbeng dominating the ceremony.
“This is the biggest and tallest makbeng ever to be made in our province. It is 7 metres high and 5 metres in circumference,” said Xayaboury Tourism Department Director, Mr Sangviene Sengkenaly.
He admitted this was a debatable claim because another large centrepiece had been made for the Ecotourism Forum held in Vientiane in 2007, organised by the Lao National Tourism Administration. But the circumference of that makbeng had been less than the one made for the Elephant Festival.
“Lao people believe the marigold flower symbolises our civilised nationhood and it is traditionally used in Buddhist worship and baci ceremonies,” he said.
Mr Sangviene said the department had wanted to make such a large centrepiece in keeping with the size of the massive elephants taking part in the ceremony. Nine elephants were especially chosen for their good behaviour.
The ceremony included chants by monks and a morphon, a respected older person who always presides over a baci and spreads Buddhist teachings in society.
A makbeng is traditionally surrounded with bananas, boiled eggs, sugarcane, alcohol, rice snacks and sweets. On this occasion, banana trees were also placed around the makbeng, as it was felt bunches of bananas symbolised the province's rich natural resources.
“A baci is very traditional here. Every Lao New Year we organise a baci for our people and the elephants, because elephants are part of many people's families,” Mr Sangviene said. In this province, elephants are always around to help carry heavy loads.
After the morphon chants his blessings, people also show their goodwill by tying white strings around the elephants' legs, tusks and ears and giving them food.
At the festival, the organisers set up a buffet for the elephants, with sugarcane, bananas and other fruits of the forest.
Xayaboury province bustled with activity as thousands of people made their way to the country's third Elephant Festival, held from February 14 to 15.
The event kicked off with a jumbo-sized opening ceremony, showcasing up to 100 domesticated elephants from the province.
Activities included an ‘elephant of the year' competition, parachute jumps, elephant bathing, trekking, street performances, night markets and live music.
The previous festivals took place in the province's Hongsa district in 2007 and Paklai district in 2008.
Xayaboury province is rich in natural resources and biodiversity. Its people are hard-working, brave and eagerly ambitious. Xayaboury's slogan refers to a land without borders, a land of green hills, wise elephants, cotton flowers, a diverse ethnic culture and a march towards prosperity.
Xayaboury hosted the festival in cooperation with the Lao National Tourism Administration and ElefantAsia, in keeping with government efforts to promote tourism and preserve local culture and traditions.
Each of the festivals has been organised by ElefantAsia, a conservation group whose mission is to raise awareness of the need to protect elephant populations.
Asian elephants are under threat and are drawing closer towards the time when their lives are at risk. The festival sends a message to children and adults about the importance of protecting elephants so they remain in Laos for ever.
Laos , formerly known as Lane Xang – the Land of a Million Elephants – is today home to just 2,000 Asian elephants.
About 1,000 of these are wild, and the rest are used for domesticated purposes such as logging or tourism. Wild elephants are considered an ecological ‘keystone' species, while domesticated elephants have immense cultural and economic value. According to ElefantAsia, elephant populations all over Asia are in decline and need immediate conservation and protection to avoid extinction.
The annual Elephant Festival aims to raise awareness of declining elephant populations and preserve mahout culture.
By Panyasith Thammavongsa (Latest Update February 28, 2009)
