Bu Hom: Local Origin Stories

You can get to know Bu Hom through a local origin story: it tells of three Lao Phuan siblings, a raft journey on the Mekong, and the house of Thao Bua Hom. The story also offers an explanation for the place name. If you are looking for a hotel in Bu Hom, it gives you a specific cultural reference point for planning your trip; the story remains a local tradition.

The Raft Journey of the Three Siblings

According to a local origin story, the history of Ban Bu Hom dates back about 400 years. Thao Bua Hom, Thao Bua Hong, and Thao Bua Hiao are named as three Lao Phuan siblings. The story describes how they traveled on a raft from the mountains of Tibet, via Luang Prabang, along the Mekong to the mouth of the Huai Nam Suai. The tradition thus includes a named sequence of places and a shared journey. It connects the origin story with the Mekong while retaining its character as a traditional tale.

Reunion at the House of Thao Bua Hom

In the story, the three siblings reunited at the house of Thao Bua Hom after hearing about Ho raids on villages. This episode links the raft journey with their reunion at the house. The origin story is therefore not just a journey, but also a family scene associated with Thao Bua Hom. The sequence helps distinguish the different parts of the story: the journey follows the Mekong, while the later reunion takes place at the house.

How the Name Bu Hom Is Explained

According to a local place-name story, “Bu Hom” derives from Thao Bua Hom, the eldest brother and village head at the time. The name later changed to “Bu Hom.” This links the explanation of the name to the story of the three siblings: Thao Bua Hom is both one of the brothers and the person to whom the place name is traced. Thao Bua Hong and Thao Bua Hiao are also part of this tradition. The story thus connects the names of the three siblings with the explanation of the origins of Ban Bu Hom.

A Nearby Temple

In the vicinity of the destination is Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Khwai Ngoen in Ban Pha Baen, Bu Hom Subdistrict. The temple is located on a hill 400 meters above sea level. There is also an old belief associated with the route there: people once believed that only those with special merit could reach the temple because of the difficult path. This describes a historical belief. The elevation locates the temple, while the tradition about the path records how its accessibility was once understood. These are two separate points of reference alongside the place-name story of Ban Bu Hom.

If you are interested in local stories, you can treat the siblings’ story and the information about the nearby temple as separate topics: one explains the origin of the name Bu Hom, while the other describes a nearby place and a historical belief about the route there.

Find a Hotel for Your Stay

The local origin stories give your destination a cultural connection; you can decide which hotel suits your needs by reviewing the details of each offer.

Discover more destinations: Pong, Lat Khang, Kut Pong, Tha Li, Pak Chom, Kok Thong, Dan Sai, Chiang Khan

For the broader travel overview: Loei.