Festival of 9 Tribes at Bahn Saeo

On 7th & 8th January 2012, we visited the Festival of 9 Tribes at Bahn Saeo, about 30 minutes drive from Viang Yonok. This is a marvellous yearly event, where the 9 different ethnic groups who live wthin the district of Bahn Saeo come together, for a festival. We three were the only outsiders, this was a truly local non-touristy event and a great privilege to see.

The groups represented were; Isarn, Lisu, Chinese, Shan, Akha, Lahu, IuMien(Yao), Tai Lue and Thai. There were also some Hmong people who had been invited.

After a parade through the village, everyone got togethger at the showground. After introductions, a firework on a wire shot around to the front of each house in turn, causing a curtain to drop revealing the name of the ethnic group represented, the firework then ended burning a string which dropped a hammer onto a gong. Various speeches by local dignitaries were then followed by a lot of presentations of bouquets of roses. Each of the groups houses were offering tasting of their traditional foods & teas.

After more speeches, each group did a dance routine on the stage and this was followed by a beauty contest. It was a privilege indeed to be present at this completely non-touristy event. At Viang Yonok Hotel, we love to take our guests to these unique events that show the true northern Thai culture at one of these local festivals.