LAOS ~ Nang Sangkhan (Miss New Year) at Pii Mai Festival

... And postcard nr2 shows beautiful Laos girls dressed in very luxery traditional clothing... no Lao festival would be complete without its beauty contest, of which Nang Sangkhan (Miss New Year) is the most famous of all... there are seven contestants, each one symbolizing one of King Kabinlaphom's seven daughters... the procession of the beauty queen is spectacular and hugely popular... with great exactly matching girls on stamp... Big Thanks Jobbo!! \_(♥‿♥)_/

Photo: Song Phonepaseuth
Lao people have celebrated Lao New Year for thousands of years. This festive occasion is held each year from April 13 to 15 in the old capital Luang Prabang . As well as being a time of celebration and endless fun, It has also become synonymous with holiday, the celebration of Lao identity, the reinforcement of family bonds and an opportunity to reflect on the year ahead.

According to a Lao legend, the Pii May celebration started after Thao Kabinlaphrom lost his life in a bet to a man named Thammaban Khuman. Thao Kabinlaphrom was not able to solve a three-part riddle. Per his request, his seven daughters (representing each day of the week) took great care not to let his severed head touch the ground or there would be great destruction throughout the world. The head was kept at Mt. Sumeru until Pii Mai of each year when each daughter would take turns cleansing it.

Stamps:
UNESCO WHS Luangprabang
(Issued 02-12-2010)

The 40th Anniversary of National Day of Laos
(Issued 02-12-2015)