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Why was I covered with shaving cream yesterday?
I participated in Laos New Year yesterday at a Buddhist temple near Bayou la Batre.
I understand that the Laotian people splash water on each other to bring good luck in the new year, but why do they also squirt shaving cream on each other too? When I asked, they just said “we ran out of silly string…” (me: soaked and smelling like Old Spice)
http://www.ineedtostopsoon.com/blog_images/images/10_04_05/CRW_9812new.jpg
I understand that the Laotian people splash water on each other to bring good luck in the new year, but why do they also squirt shaving cream on each other too? When I asked, they just said “we ran out of silly string…” (me: soaked and smelling like Old Spice)
answers (5)
It is customary in Laos to make a white powder with curcuma, an herb in the ginger family that is used in many important Laotian and Thai ceremonies such as weddings. The white powder is rubbed gently on peoples' faces and is intended to bring good luck for them in the new year.
In place of the powder, however, Lanexang vendors sell extra large bottles of shaving cream. Instead of rubbing powder on others' faces, the children, when they are not soaking each other with water, spray shaving cream on each other.
Shaving cream fights are one of the most fun activities you can do at camp!
In place of the powder, however, Lanexang vendors sell extra large bottles of shaving cream. Instead of rubbing powder on others' faces, the children, when they are not soaking each other with water, spray shaving cream on each other.
Shaving cream fights are one of the most fun activities you can do at camp!
source(s):
http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/laotian.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lao_New_Year
http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/laotian.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lao_New_Year
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Thanks pats, I was looking for the "ceremonial custom" in the whole crazy mess!
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Well, it looks like it was fun, and that's probably the whole idea - welcoming springtime, celebrating life, but if not that then perhaps they were looking for the slimmed down version of the 'Michelin Man'. 
Ok, here is an excerpt from an article about the Lao New Year celebrations;
---quote---
While walking through the crowds toward the various food and craft booths, attendees dodged smiling and laughing children armed with shaving cream and water guns, something that one of the children said is not for tradition, but “for fun.”
---end quote---
http://www.iberianet.com/articles/2009/04/12/news/doc49e14e8f44351696290962.txt
---quote---
While walking through the crowds toward the various food and craft booths, attendees dodged smiling and laughing children armed with shaving cream and water guns, something that one of the children said is not for tradition, but “for fun.”
---end quote---
http://www.iberianet.com/articles/2009/04/12/news/doc49e14e8f44351696290962.txt
Thanks Hilo! You're a sport!
Happy to help...you were starting to sound a little desperate, so I wanted to try to give you a 'real' response. It doesn't appear to be anything more than good clean fun... :)
bunnyphuphu is never desperate. bunny always happy!
http://www.junkvideos.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/easter-bunny.jpg
You look like the poster child for cool whip. 
Love the pic, man! But there must be a reason for doing this during the new year?! Please help me!!
I think it's just to celebrate! We celebrated with shaving cream too. When I was in high school, the last day of my senior year we sprayed each other with water guns and threw water balloons at each other. We didn't use shaving cream because the school banned it! But before us, the seniors would go nuts with it.
I also remember shaving cream the last day of summer camp :-D
http://www.rockbrookcamp.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/fun-camp.jpg
I also remember shaving cream the last day of summer camp :-D
DB, sounds like you had great HS memories... me? I just got teased for being a bunny (sigh)
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