A Rocket Festival (Thai: ประเพณีบุญบั้งไฟ Prapheni Bun Bang Fai, Lao: ບຸນບັ້ງໄຟ Bun Bang Fai') is a merit-making ceremony traditionally practiced by ethnic Lao people throughout much of northeast Thailand and Laos, in numerous villages and municipalities near the beginning of the rainy season. Celebrations typically include preliminary music and dance performances, competitive processions of floats, dancers and musicians on the second day, and culminating on the third day in competitive firings of home-made rockets. Local participants and sponsors use the occasion to enhance their social prestige, as is customary in traditional Buddhist folk festivals throughout Southeast Asia.
Read more about Rocket Festival: History, Today, Yasothon's Festival, Bang Fai (the Rockets), Nang Ai, Phadaeng, and Phangkhi, The Myth of The Toad King, Etymology, In Popular Culture
Famous quotes containing the words rocket and/or festival:
“A rocket is an experiment; a star is an observation.”
—José Bergamín (1895–1983)
“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose: at the festival of unleavened bread, at the festival of weeks, and at the festival of booths. They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed; all shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Deuteronomy 16:16,17.