Pou Gneu and Gna Gneu

According to the local legend of creation, mythical Pou Gneu and Gna Gneu made the earth appear by stamping on the immense ocean that covered the world. These mystical persons planted gourd seeds wherefrom man appeared. Thanks to the little lion that they had captured in the Himalayas and tamed, they eliminated a beast that terrorized the region of Luang Prabang. As compensation for all their deeds before their deaths, they requested that the inhabitants make effigies of themselves and the small lion. Every New Year, as protection against the country’s destruction, they should dance at both ends of the town.