in Southeast Asia the rain dance isn’t dead, it’s just been juiced up with some high-powered bamboo rockets. This pre-Buddhist rain ceremony can be one of the wildest festivals in Laos or northeastern Thailand, with music, dance, folk theatre, processions and general merrymaking.
On the third and final day, bamboo rockets are launched into the sky in an attempt to kick-start the rainy season and bring much needed water to the rice fields.
Behind the serious business of rain-making is the competition to be the local Roger Ramjet. The team whose rocket goes the highest is declared the winner; for anybody whose rocket doesn’t get off the launch pad it’s tradition to dump them in the mud. Vientiane is a good place to see Bun Bang Fai, while in Thailand it’s celebrated best in the town of Yasothon.