ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Songkran (Lao)

Songkran is a special festival celebrated in Laos that is all about having fun with water! Imagine playing in a big swimming pool, but instead of water toys, people use water guns, hoses, and even buckets to splash each other. It's like having a huge water fight!

But there's more to Songkran than just getting wet. This festival is also about showing respect to older people and giving thanks to the gods for a good harvest. People visit temples and make offerings to the monks to show their gratitude.

Another important part of Songkran is washing the Buddha statues. People pour water over the statues as a way to cleanse them and show their devotion. This is also believed to bring good luck and fortune.

So, in summary, Songkran is a fun festival in Laos where people play with water, show respect to elders, give thanks to the gods, and wash Buddha statues. It's a time to celebrate and have fun with family and friends.