Lao New Year 2002, Lanexang Village
Iberia Parish, Louisiana
Photos March 30, 2002
Go to Poor Clio
See photos from 2003 celebration

Gates to the Wat. People gathered here from many states for the Lao New Year celebration.



Many of the young women wore garlands of flowers in their hair.


We love these rice crackers, bamboo with sticky rice cooked inside.


The menu of one of the many food stalls reveals a wonderful blending of Asian and south Louisiana cultures!


There were also booths with traditional items for sale.


This was an interesting dessert with a consistency like taro root.


The traditional New Year emphasis on cleansing has taken hold in the form of water guns amongst the young, and even smearing of shaving cream on one's companions.


A parade is held along the streets of the suburban Lao village.


Beautiful flowers.


Traditional dancing is one of the features of the parade.


Esteemed judges review and rate parade participants.


It's all in the hands.


The cleansing ritual at the temple.


The prior evening, a pageant was held and the Princess of Lao chosen.


The beautiful young women who were a feature of the parade.


A little bit of Laos here in the U.S.A.