Boun Hor Khao Salak (Remember the Deceased 2)

Boun Hor Khao Salak is one of the most poignant and spiritually significant festivals in Laos. Celebrated on the full moon of the tenth lunar month (usually in September), it is a day dedicated to remembering and feeding the spirits of the deceased—particularly those who may not have living relatives to make merit for them.

Here is an overview of the traditions and meaning behind this “Festival of the Dead.”

---

The Core Ritual: “Khao Salak”

The name of the festival translates to “offering of drawing lots.” Unlike other festivals where offerings are made directly to specific monks, Boun Hor Khao Salak involves a unique system of anonymous charity:

1. Preparation: Laypeople prepare “baskets” or “wraps” containing essentials like sticky rice, traditional sweets, fruits, cigarettes, and sometimes money or small household items.
2. The Slips: Each family writes their name on a slip of paper (the salak). These slips are placed in a large bowl.
3. The Draw: Monks and novices draw the slips. Whichever name a monk draws, that family provides their offering to him. This ensures that the merit is distributed fairly and that the focus remains on the act of giving rather than the status of the recipient.

Feeding the “Hungry Ghosts”

A central belief of Boun Hor Khao Salak is that on this night, the gates of hell are opened, and the spirits of the dead are allowed to roam the earth to receive offerings from their living descendants.

• For Ancestors: Families make merit to ensure their loved ones are well-fed and peaceful in the afterlife.
• For the “Preta”: A significant portion of the festival focuses on Preta (hungry ghosts)—spirits who have no family or were “sinful” in life and suffer from eternal hunger. By leaving small parcels of food around the temple walls or under trees, the living offer these wandering spirits a moment of relief.

The Festival Day Experience

The atmosphere at the Vat (temple) is a blend of solemnity and community celebration:

• Early Morning: Devotees arrive at dawn dressed in traditional Lao silk (sinh for women) to offer food to the monks.
• Pouring Water (Ithaid): After the offerings, people pour water onto the earth while reciting prayers, a symbolic gesture to transfer the merit to the deceased.
• Candlelight Procession: In the evening, the temple grounds are illuminated by Vien Thien (candlelight processions), where locals walk around the ordination hall three times to pay respect to the Buddha.

Why It Matters

Beyond its religious roots, Boun Hor Khao Salak serves as a vital social glue. It reinforces the Lao values of gratitude (towards ancestors), compassion (towards the suffering spirits), and community (sharing food and resources). It is a time for families to gather, reflect on the cycle of life and death, and ensure that no one—living or dead—is forgotten.