Also known as the “new rice celebration”, the Khẩu Hó Festival is a time of thanksgiving, when the villagers express their gratitude to the spirits and ancestors who watch over their crops. Following the harvest, the Lào people invite their deities and ancestors to join them in celebration, asking for blessings of prosperity, good health, and bountiful harvests for the coming year.

Preparations for the festival begin days in advance, with every family member contributing. Young sticky rice flakes (cốm) are made from freshly harvested rice, while fruits, vegetables, and foraged ingredients like silkworms and earth beetles are collected from the family’s land. These offerings are crafted with care by the Lào women, who transform them into meaningful tributes for the gods and ancestors.

The offerings are placed on three ceremonial trays: one inside the home for the ancestors, one outside to welcome the mountain and water deities, and one in the kitchen, representing the family’s sustenance.

For the Lào people, Khẩu Hó Festival is a deeply significant cultural event. Historically, rice was harvested only once a year, making this festival akin to the celebration of the new year. It is a key agricultural ritual that embodies the community’s beliefs, customs, and the culture of wet rice farming.

Though celebrated within individual households, Khẩu Hó Festival fosters family reunions and community spirit. The villagers open their homes to guests, sharing food, drink, and lively conversation in a celebration that brings the community together, blurring the lines between family and visitor in a joyous feast of the harvest.