Pàt

A pàt (Bahlian IPA: [pat˧˩], "reason" or "excuse") is a Bahlian formal gathering, usually including extended family and friends, where people eat, drink, converse and play games. The distinguishing factor of a pàt against other gatherings of similar nature is its highly organised and hierarchical nature. The occasion for a pàt may vary, but it is mostly practised during holidays or after weddings.

Organisation

Location

Because of the nature of a pàt, usually a whole room in a house is dedicated for it, sometimes occupying an entirely separate structure within a domicile. It's also common for a pàt to be held in a covered part of a garden. A pàt table is traditionally rectangular and long, with reserved spaces for the host and their cohorts.

Hierarchy

Within a pàt, various positions are filled by different people. These include:

• The tạ tăt ("chief of tongues"), the highest position and the initiator of toasts, someone well respected and trained in their speech, who sits at one end of the table.
• The hing tăt ("chief of the place"), who provides the location and sits opposite the tạ tăt.
• The piok ("advisors"), normally two for each tăt, usually their closest friends, confidants or even spouses or children, sitting at their left and right positions.

Events

A pàt usually consists of three events: the feast, the games, and the conversation.

Feast

The feast (krám) is the first and main event of a pàt. It begins during the evening and consists of three courses, the first being a soup or stew, the next being an assortment of solid, hot meals, and the last being a dessert, usually including cakes, pastries, jams and alcohol. Many Bahlians make a point not to drink too much during the feast, as it would take away from the next event. All throughout the feast, the ta tăt proposes toasts for people to drink to.

Games

The games or celebrations (đùy) follow the feast and include, appropriately, drinking games. These may sometimes escalate into games where people will bet on possessions, although betting on money is always frowned upon. If there are any children in the group, they will usually be playing versions of these games that don't require alcohol.

Conversation

The conversation (triw) follows the games late in the night, usually when most parties are too drunk to keep playing. The present parties will sit together in an appropriate room on long couches, where couples can also sit together. Drinking will continue, although not to the extent that the previous event provided.