A little about the Lao Baci Ceremony or Pha Kwan, what will take place.

The Baci Ceremony

Definition: Briefly the Baci is a ceremony to celebrate a special event, whether a marriage, a homecoming, a welcome, a birth, or one of the annual festivals. A mother is given a baci after she has recovered form a birth, the sick are given bacis to facilitate a cure, officials are honored by bacis, and novice monks are wished luck with a baci before entering the temple. The Baci ceremony can take place any day of the week and all year long, preferably before noon or before sunset. The term more commonly used is su kwan, which means “calling of the soul”. Concept of Kwan: Kwan are components of the soul, but have a more abstract meaning than this. The kwan have been variously described by Westerners as: “vital forces, giving harmony and balance to the body, or part of it”, “the private reality of the body, inherent in the life of men and animals from the moment of their birth,” and simply as “vital breath”. It is an ancient belief in Laos that the human being is a union of 32 organs and that the kwan watch over and protect each one of them. It is of the utmost consequence that as many kwan as possible are kept together in the body at any one time. Since all kwan is often the attributed cause of an illness, the baci ceremony calls the kwan or souls from wherever they may be roaming, back to the body, secures them in place, and thus re-establishes equilibrium. The Pha Kwan: The pha kwan is an arrangement consisting of a dish or bowl, often in silver, from the top of which sprouts a cone or horn made of banana leaves and containing flowers, white cotton or silk threads. The flowers used often have evocative meanings and symbols, such as dok huck (symbol of love), dok sampi (longevity), dok daohuang (cheerfulness/brilliance), etc. The cotton threads are cut at the length long enough to wrap around the adult wrists. These are attached to a bamboo stalk and give the impression of a banner. Around the base of this is the food for the kwan. The food consists usually of hard boiled eggs (symbol of the fetus), fruits and sweets symbolizing the coming together of several parts, in this case the forming of a community (a stalk of bananas, khaotom-boiled sweet rice wrapped in banana leaves), bottle of rice whisky for purification, and boiled whole chicken with head and feet with claws for divination purposes. The pha kwan is placed on a white cloth in the center of the room, with the maw pawn sitting facing the pha kwan. The person(s) for whom the baci is being held sits directly opposite of him, on the other side of the pha kwan. The maw pawn or mohkwan is a village elder, ideally an ex-monk who will be officiating the ceremony, chanting and calling the kwan. The baci ceremony and the steps leading to it: Tdung pah kwan or the making of the pah kwan: This task of preparing and setting up the pah kwan or flower trays for the ceremony is often shared by elderly women in the community. Somma or paying respect to the elders: Before the ceremony actually begins, the younger people would pay respect to the elders. Keunt pah kwan or introduction of the ceremony: Everyone touches the pah kwan as the moh pohn chants Buddhist mantra. Pitee hiek kwan or the calling of the kwan: The maw pawn calls upon the wandering kwan to return and inhabit the body of the person the ceremony is intended for. Pook kwan or the tying of kwan: When the maw pawn finishes the invocation, he places the symbolic food into the upturned hand which the recipient has by now extended. The maw pawn then takes the cotton thread from the pha kwan and wraps it around the extended wrist, tying it there. While securing it with a few knots, he chants a shorter version of the invocation strengthening the power of the blessings. Song pah kwan or the closing of the ceremony: Once the pook kwan is over, everyone touches the pah kwan again as a way to conclude the ceremony. Sharing of a meal: After the ceremony, everyone shares a meal as a member of the community. In Laos, white is the color of peace, good fortune, honesty and warmth. The white cotton thread is a lasting symbol of continuity and brotherhood in the community and permanence. The baci threads should be worn for at least three days subsequently and should be untied rather than cut off. Usually it is preferred that they are kept until they fall off by themselves. The baci ceremony runs deep in the Lao psyche. In different part of the country the ceremony differs slightly in meaning. In general, it is nonetheless an emphasis of the value of life, of social and family bonds, of forgiveness, renewal and homage to heavenly beings.

It's almost here, our stateside Laos Ceremony!!!

We're looking forward to celebrating our Laos Ceremony on Saturday morning, October 9, 2010.

For those who will be traveling from "away" or staying near the reception hall, we have reserved some rooms at the Doubletree Schaumburg booking rates $79/night.

http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/CHISGDT-WPW-20101008/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

Group Name:	Wilson / Phiachantharath Wedding Room Block
Group Code:	WPW
Check-in:	08-OCT-2010
Check-out:	10-OCT-2010
Hotel Name:	Doubletree Hotel Chicago/Schaumburg
Hotel Address:	800 National Parkway
	Schaumburg, Illinois
	60173
Phone Number:	847-605-9222

We are MARRIED in St. John's, Newfoundland!!!

We are Married...YAY!!!

We had the most amazing week thanks to our friends and family for helping us to celebrate here on "The Rock"! We could not have imagined a more perfect wedding day and were so happy to have spent our week with our friends and family. You all truly made it an unforgettable moment in our lives. thank you all for the laughter, good times and memories....we are so happy to have spent this week with you!

love
love
love

Touly & Jenn
xo

What to pack?

So, if you have been checking the forecast in St. John's, you might already be aware that it's been a little less than - ummm - usual summer weather. St. John's weather is notoriously unpredictable, so who knows what to expect! Anyhow, since there is absolutely nothing that one can do about the weather, we figured that the best we can do is offer our friends some tips on packing for a Newfie summer vacation.

So, first of all, bring a few light weight sweaters that you can layer with. If you have a light anorak or hooded jacket, bring that along as well. Comfy walking shoes are also a good idea for sightseeing around Cape Spear and Signal Hill.

Both the BBQ and Brunch will be casual dress.

WOW, 5 days away to Newfoundland, then 11days til Wedding...Time to track down the passport.

Hi,

We just want to give everyone a few helpful sites to make your travels easier who are traveling from "Away".

http://www.tsa.gov/
http://travel.flightexplorer.com/
http://www.weather.com/

Happy luggage packing!!!

39 Days Until the Big Day in St. John's!!!

Hi All,

We just wanted to take a moment to update our oft-neglected blog! So, we have been able to confirm some plans and wanted to share them with you.

On Wednesday afternoon we will have the rehearsal at 1pm. This will include a walk through at the Basilica in preparation for the ceremony on Friday. Later that evening we will have the rehearsal dinner at Jenn's mom's apartment. ( be prepared for lots of seafood! ) ...we want to have a nice, relaxed evening and cannot wait to get everyone together!

On Thursday evening, Jenn's cousin Geralyn and her family will be hosting a casual BBQ for everyone. This leaves Thursday morning and afternoon for some time to wander, sight see and get together for lunch.

Friday is the BIG DAY!!!!

Saturday Jenn's cousin Lynn Marie & her family will be hosting a brunch for everyone at their home. That evening we will all be getting together for a fun night out! ( details to follow)

For those who are wondering, we have rented a van so that we have an extra vehicle to help with transportation. Since St. John's is a small town and we have a lot of activities planned for everyone, it is really not necessary for anyone to rent a car.

We are so happy and excited for our wedding, and are incredibly lucky to be sharing it with very special people!

Update of Wedding Registries June 10, 2010

Hi,

Here are some places where we have registered and convenient locations.

• Jennifer L. Wilson & Touly Phiachantharath

Bed Bath & Beyond
Pottery Barn
Williams Sonoma