Laos Culture
In this poor country, one of the things you notice, is that nobody dies of hunger. Most families manage, not only to meet their needs, but even to put an important part of their small earnings to one side so as to participate in the small futile pleasures that make life enjoyable. Laos is a country of smiles, where composure and serenity reign and from where a sort of karma and an invigorating energy exude. Laotians say that this special karma, was born with Laos, many centuries ago.
Laos was born at the being of the XIVth century of our era, with the “Realm of a million elephants and a white parasol” of Fa Ngum, and gained its independence in 1954. They only found their political stability some 30 years later by adopting the communist regimen, especially under the pressure of Viet-Nam.
Head of a realm (or even several realms, as was finally the case for most of Laos’s history), Laos managed to develop commerce and crafts. They initiated an extension of Buddhism in its most primitive form, that of Theravada or Small Vehicle, under Khmer influence. Even today, it still conserves a large influence in Laotian everyday life even if we still find strong allusions to animism and the cults of their ancestors.
Laotians generally have an easy, smiling and pleasant character; generally preferring to take their time, the same as in their way of life, they savour each moment and don’t try to think too much into the future. Overall, Laotians have a definite tendency to put everything off until the next day as much as they possibly can without having too many inconveniences. This is one of the things that decidedly give this country its exceptional charm, completely the opposite to the Vietnamese or even Thai restlessness.
The years of French protectorate finished in the middle of the 1950’s. Laotians sustained heavy bombings during the next few years from the Vietnamese war. In spite of this and the intrigues put into motion by Occidental Powers and of which their country was a victim; Laotians didn’t hold any animosity towards the farangs (European foreigners).
The country opened up to tourism quite a few years ago, but it wasn’t until the years 2000 that a tourist could move about freely in all areas, even the most remote (at their own risk). Its a magnificent country by its wide open spaces with dense vegetation and many animals (you can still find tigers and wild elephants). Many ethnical groups continue to live according to their ancestral traditions.
Its also an authentic country due to development which is controlled by the communists, and whose authority, has not allowed the country to grow just any old way, as had been the case over the years with certain newly emerging Asian countries.
Laos religion
Buddhism is the main religion, which was introduced in this country around 2000 years ago. Today, roughly up to 60% of the citizens are following Theravada Buddhism. It is the form of Buddhism that is based on the Buddha’s earlier teaching, opposite to Mahayana Buddhism. This religion has been so deeply rooted in the society of Laos that the Government even uses many of its teachings to go along with the politics.
The people of Laos uses the Buddhism Calendar, hence, various rituals or main ceremonies of Laos are based on this calendar. Especially, the New Year Festival (as known as Pi Mai) in Laos is different from other New Year Celebrations throughout the world; because it happens 3 days in April, the hottest month of the year. During this liveliest occasion, you will have a chance to take part in the unique Water Splash and nonstop dance and music from local people everywhere.
Buddhism also affects the society of Laos in their way of thinking and acting. Buddha teaches not to steal, lie, commit adultery, etc. As a matter of fact, Laos has a low rate of theft. When it comes to money and property of other’s, Laos people are considered the most trustworthy. The divorce rate in this country has never been a pain in the neck issue.
Clothes
In its customary form, Lao’s traditional clothing consists of dresses original to the Hmong community of Laos. With the influence of the outside world wearing of traditional clothing is increasingly for special occasions only. The traditional clothing of Laos is different for men and women. While men’s clothing is more simple, the clothing of the women is elaborate and decorated with embroidery and designs.
Sinh – The Traditional Costume of Lao Women
Because in the Lao people thinkings women are considered as the mother of the nation, Laos women are expected to look gorgeous. Visiting Laos, you will run into Laos women wearing simple Sinhs with a little decoration in daily life from working in the fields to selling agricultural products. However, if you soak into an important Lao ceremony, you will see many Lao women coiling their hair and wearing colorful scarves, blouse, silk skirts and sparkling pieces of jewelry. The traditional Sinh set of Laos women often consists of three main parts including a sinh, a suea pat, and pha biang. Worn by Laos women in specific events, Laos Sinh or phaa sin is a wraparound skirt made of silk and cotton woven and decorated with exquisite patterns. It includes three parts Hua sinh, Phuen sinh, and Tin sinh. Suea pat is a long-sleeved shirt with no buttons which is used to wrap right side of the front panel of the shirt over the left side of the front panel and tie two panels together by strings. Pha Biang is a shawl-like garment worn by both men and women. It is a long piece of silk about a foot wide, draped diagonally around the chest cover one shoulder which its end drops behind the back.
Salong – The Traditional Costumes of Lao Men
Unlike Sinh of Lao women, the traditional costume of Lao men is Salong which are big pants in various colors. Laos men often wear these special pants in important events, ceremonies and even in contests. Salong is often combined with a shirt, knee-length white socks and a pha biang. Lao men often wear “yao”or “hang” – a wrapped around skirt which is designed with two ends twisted together, pulled between the legs and fixed into the waistband at the back. However, it takes a lot of time and effort to make yao or hang because it is made of heavy plied silk and delicate embroidered.
Family structure
Hierarchical inter-dependence is the central value instilled in Lao children. Parents raise and support their children and the children reciprocate as soon as they can, thus creating strong family bonds. Kinship amongst the Lao is reckoned through males and females in general with little genealogical consciousness beyond two past generations, except among the former aristocracy. Male-lineage inheritance clans can be found among the Hmong, Iu Mien, Khmu, and others. With babies and children, separation is avoided and crying is actively discouraged. Babies are constantly in the care of the mother and are fed on demand. Older children are responsible for the care of younger children. Usually the whole family sleeps together until the children reach puberty. Even in modern homes where children may have a separate room, they all sleep together.
Everyday life in Laos
Laos is a country of contrasts. Contrasts between town life and rural life. Contrasts between ethnic groups and people of different religions. Most people in Laos work in agriculture and there life is in small villages with little infrastructure and little involvement with the wider country. Other Laos people are more involved with a wider community, better educated and more prosperous. Life in the hills farming is radically different to life working in factory or market near Vientiane.
Laos Wedding
Today, most people split their wedding into two parts, one is a traditional Laos wedding ceremony and the other is a modern wedding reception. Some have the traditional Laos wedding ceremony at home in the morning, when Baci ceremony takes place, and some do it in the afternoon. Only close friends and relatives are invited to join the Baci part. Whether the Baci takes place in the morning or afternoon, food and drinks are served to the guests at the end of the ceremony. The reception is then held in the evening, when more guests are invited, at a hotel, a restaurant, a hall specially caters for weddings or somewhere that could hold more people. This practice is more common among city people.
The traditional Laos wedding is usually held at the bride’s family home. In the past the Laos wedding was always in the morning which was believed to be convenient and best time for a joyful celebration such as wedding ceremony to take place, whereas the afternoon is considered the time for sad ceremonies like cremations. However, with modern lifestyles convenience has become more important so the time doesn’t really matter any more.
Generally, 10:00am and 4:00pm are usually considered the best times because guests are invited to have lunch or dinner after the official ceremony is finished.
Bride Price
The wedding preparations start with the Sou Khor (bride-price negotiation) procession.
The bride-price is usually money and gold, but it can be anything valuable. Traditionally this is asked by the bride’s parents as a refund for the breast milk that has been fed to the bride since she was born (literally translated from Lao). How much? depends on the family social status of both sides. Nowadays many parents don’t ask for anything so long that their daughter is happy.
When both sides negotiate and agree on the bride-price and all other details then they set the wedding date.
Engagement is not that common in Laos. Some couples get engaged before their wedding while many others don’t bother with the engagement at all. There are no set rules really, especially nowadays when life style of many Lao has changed.
The Best Day for Laos Wedding Procession
Traditionally, the wedding date has to be on a good day in lunar calendar, so parents of either or both sides usually consult elders or senior ex-monks, who have good knowledge of Lao custom and tradition, before the wedding date is set. One thing most Lao knows is that the wedding is not supposed to take place during the three months Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent, late July – late October).
Today this procession has been slightly changed to suit modern lifestyles and sometimes the couple agrees on most of the details (including the bride-price) and they set the date to suit their busy lives. When it comes close to the wedding day, this Sou Khor procession is organised just for the sake of Lao custom or tradition.
Laos Wedding Preparation
The night before the Laos wedding takes place, an informal ceremony is held at the bride-to-be’s home, and sometimes the groom holds the same ceremony at his place as well. This is called Oun Dong (literally translated: wedding or marriage warming) and it only involves close friends and relatives who come to help with wedding preparations as well as to eat and drink. The things to prepare include Pha Khuan (handmade marigold pyramid made of banana leaves and flowers), food for the big day and the new couple’s bedroom. In this room tradition demands the bed must be made by the mother of the bride or an older female who has a good family (with a good husband and good children and who is not divorced, or a widow).
The Big Day
On the big day, the bride is dressed with a traditional Lao silk Sinh (Lao skirt), and silk blouse, and has her hair tied up in a special way with gold decoration. This ensemble is finished off with a gold necklace, bracelets, earrings and a bell.
The groom also gets dressed up usually with white or cream colored silk shirt and a traditional silk Salong (a pair of baggy pants). Sometimes grooms wear normal pants and suits as some find Salongs uncomfortable.
Traditionally, on the wedding day a small Baci (also spelt Basi or Sou Khuan), a spirit enhancing, ceremony is held concurrently in both the bride’s house and the groom’s prior to the formal wedding. Now many omit this custom, especially in urban areas where Lao customs and traditions are fading.
Bride Price Giving Procession
Once the small Baci is finished, a convoy of the groom is sent ahead to give the bride-price to the bride’s parents. The bride-price could be gold or money. The convoy usually consists of few older men and women, who could be the groom’s parents and relatives who are good and know a lot about Lao customs and traditions. The leader of the convoy would politely say something like “we come with horses, buffaloes, cows, a pile of silver and gold to give to you in exchange for our son to come and live your daughter” or something similar. While this exchange is taking place the groom’s group is formed and waits somewhere nearby.
Hae Keuy (Groom Parade)
When the bride price giving procession is finished, the groom’s group is informed and they begin to walk to the bride’s home, playing musical instruments, singing and dancing along the way (there is a song, specially composed for this procession, that sang in every groom parade) . Everybody is laughing, cheering and smiling in the most joyful way. The groom walks under an umbrella carried by his friend. This part of the Laos wedding is supposed to be really fun to join. This procession is called hae keuy (meaning groom parade).
When they arrive at the bride’s house, the groom and his party are met by the bride’s relatives where a silver door and a gold door are set up and closed. These doors are just lines of silver and gold bells stretched across the door way (known as Golden and Silver Gates) to prevent the groom entering before he is granted permission. To be granted a permission the groom has to pay his way through.
The groom will be allowed to go inside only after he drinks with the bride’s party and pays them to open the doors and after their customary questions such as: “Where did you come from? What did you come here for? What did you bring with you?” etc. are answered. So… extensive bargaining, questioning and drinking takes place here which is another fun part of the Laos wedding.
The groom doesn’t have to answer the questions because the elder relatives will do all the talking and answering for him. The elders from both sides talk in a customary, polite and friendly way which doesn’t have to be real. All the groom has to do is to drink his way through and give some money to the door attendants. This is like an entry fee but it doesn’t have to be much and the money would already have been prepared in advance by himself or his party. When he has paid and they are satisfied with the small money gift they will allow him to step through.
However, it’s not finished yet. Before he can enter the house he has to have his feet washed by the bride’s younger sister, relative, or anyone chosen by the bride, but this person has to be female and had to be younger than the bride. The groom has to give a money gift to the person and then he can enter the house.
Baci or Sou Khuan Ceremony
The groom is met at the door and led by a female relative of the bride to the Pha Khoun, where the Baci ceremony will be taking place. Once he is settled in, the bride is led to the Pha Khoun from her room by another elder female relative. She is seated on the left side of the groom with the parents and relatives of both sides sitting nearby. During the seating process the bride’s relatives and friends will give her a slight push to make her to lean on the groom unintentionally, and the other party will try to push the groom the same way. It is believed that the first to touch the other one in this ceremony will have more power over the other party in their married lives.
After everyone is settled in, the Baci or Sou Khuan ceremony begins. This involves the chanting by the master of ceremony (Mor Phon), the egg feeding (the bride and the groom feed each other an egg) and the tying of white strings on wrists of the couple.
The Mor Phon is the first to tie white thread around the wrists of the bride and the groom. Next are the parents, and relatives of both sides. After that other guests take turns to tie the white thread on the wrists of the bride and the groom. While tying the thread everyone chants their well wishes. Some also roll a bank not or two and tied by the thread before tying on the wrists of the couple.
Somma Procession (a customary asking for forgiveness and thanking and elder relatives of both parties)
At the end of the Baci ceremony, the elder relatives lead the couple to Somma (a customary asking for forgiveness and thanking the parents and elder relatives of both parties). This process involves the giving of small money gifts (wrapped inside banana leaves, together with flowers and a pair of candles). During this ceremony, the elders, including the parents and relatives of both parties, give the couple good wishes.
Procession of Sending the Newly Wed to Room
The Laos wedding ceremony (the Baci or Sou Khuan ceremony part) ends with the sending of the couple to their room. An elder female relative will lead the groom to the room and the bride follows behind. In the bedroom, the elderly person lead the couple to customary pay their respects to the bed and the pillows. After the procession is finished close friends and families of both sides take turns to have photo sessions with the newlywed couple in their bedroom.
Traditionally, after the procession of sending of the couple to their room, they are supposed to stay in the room until the next morning. However, this is no longer practical as the order of this ceremony has changed over time. Most have Baci or Sou Khuan ceremony in the morning and a reception in the evening. This procession (sending of the couple to their room) takes place in the morning right after the Baci ceremony, so….
Lao Wedding Reception
After the baci is over, it is time for the party to begin when the guests are invited to eat, drink and dance.
The groom and bride will open the dance floor in Lao style dancing (called Lum Vong in Lao language) and then others will join in. Lao style dancing is a much different style, with pairs and line dancing going in circle. The party could go until late with foods and drinks (usually serve with whiskey and/or Lao Beer).
Laos festivals
Pi Mai
Pi Mai Lao, otherwise known as Lao New Year, is a festival celebrated at the hottest time of the year – which is just as well, because most people remain drenched with water for the majority of the event. It’s known as the festival of water fights but there are lots of other cultural activities that run over the week and there are many reasons why it’s a festival ‘not to be missed’!
Water pistols, water tanks, hoses, buckets, pots and pans…whatever it is, if it can carry water it will be used as a friendly weapon during Pi Mai. Expect to get wet…whether you want to join in the fun or not! It’s a wonderful excuse to become a child again and have a blast with the locals. There are water guns for sale as well as sealable plastic pouches for mobile phones and wallets in order to keep them dry. Most of the splashing takes place in the heat of the day between midday and 6pm…and nobody is safe from saturation so get ready to get wet!
One of the most amazing sights during Pi Mai is the elephant procession which happens a few days before the main parade. It involves up to six elephants (and sometimes baby elephants), decorated with colourful headpieces and garments, being ridden down the main street by mahouts in traditional Lao costumes. It’s not every day that such magnificent beasts are seen strolling past the National Museum or Wat Mai…it’s a sight worth seeing. Have your cameras ready!
During Pi Mai, Lao people build sand stupas – with colourful banners and offerings – in order to ensure that evil spirits don’t pass from one year to the next. The banks of the Mekong, particularly across on the Chomphet side, are covered with hundreds these interesting structures during the festival.
The Pi Mai parade is the most colourful of all the events that occur during the festival. It involves thousands of locals – dressed in all kinds of outfits, from colourful Hmong hand-embroidered dresses to monkey-masked dancers. There are many floats that take part in the procession including one that has the winner of Miss Lao New Year – a beauty pageant that takes place every year during Pi Mai. Inevitably, the parade turns into one big water fight but it’s also a chance to see Lao culture at its finest and specifically the culture and costumes of Luang Prabang.
Boun Bung Fai
In Laos, you don’t have to be a scientist to build a rocket. Even more, you won’t even need metal nor fuel to make it fly! Every year before the rain season, the Lao people celebrate Boun Bang Fai or the Rocket Festival. This event takes place on the outskirts of Vientiane and the surrounding villages of Nason, Nathan, Kern, and some others.
Traditionally the purpose of sending rockets into the sky was to ask the god of rain “Hang” to help nature by giving it enough rain and save it from flood and drought. At the same time this was a festival of fertility, so rockets are made in phallic symbols in a humorous way. Additionally, some men may dress in women’s clothes to add more fun and drama to the celebration.
Earlier rockets were made of bamboo and gunpowder, but today other materials are also used: glass, metal pipes, and modern lighting effects are added. On the day of the festival, the rocket competition is held. Teams usually represent different villages which are invited to the celebration. Rockets are scored for the height of the fly, its decoration, and the entertaining performance from the team. The event is always inspected for security measures and, of course, accompanied with a fair selling traditional food and crafts.
Boun Khao Phan Sa
Buddhist Lent is a period of three lunar months during the rainy season when monks are required to remain in one particular place or wat (temple). Monks and novices have to swear themselves to live in the same place. They can’t stay in the other places over night. During this period, monks are practicing meditation more than usual. Every full moon day, monks have to gather in one temple to recite “Phadhimoka” or 227 rules of monk. Khao Phansa Day is on the first day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month and marks the beginning of the three-month rainy season. The tradition of Buddhist Lent or the annual three-month rains retreat known in Lao as “Phansa”. Khao Phansa means to remain in one place during the rainy season. There are two words “Khao and Phansa” Khao denotes “enter” Phansa represents a time of renewed spiritual vigor and Khao Phansa festival is a major Buddhism merit-making festival.
The day before Khao Phansa Day is Asalha Puja Day. The day falls on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. This day is also very important in Buddhism as the day of the Triple Gems happened such as: Buddha, Dhamma, and Shangha, which the day of the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon to the five disciples such as: Anyakondanya, Padhiya, Vabbha, Mahanama, and Atsasi. The Sermon is “Dhammachakkabbhavattana sutta or (The wheels of life). The main sermon is to refrain sexual pleasure (kammasuka), and mortification (Atta kilanuyoka), and practice in the middle way (Makkamakka padhipadha), the day is usually celebrated by merit making, listening to a monk’s sermon, and joining a candle light procession during the night.
During Khao Phunsa period monks should not venture out or spend the night in any other places except in cases of extreme emergency and, even then, their time away must not exceed seven consecutive nights. The Buddha prohibited monks to travel this period because it is rainy season and hard for monks to travel in wet season and it is period of plant fertilizing. There is a story of monks travel in this period and damaged local’s plantation, so this event reached to the Buddha therefore, the Buddha didn’t allow monks to wonder to other places during the rainy season. They have to find a proper place or temple to stay and this is a time for contemplation and meditation. The monk meditates more, studies more and teaches more. For Buddhist Phansa is also customarily the season for temporary ordinations. Young men enter the monkhood for spiritual training, to gain merit for themselves and their parents, it is believed that a man who has been a monk will lead their parents to the heaven because monk is a sign of purify and happiness. For this reason, most of them are prefer to become a monk in this season. They have to spend most of their time to learn, and practicing and train themselves under guidance a venerable. Different places have different tradition and custom, according to my tradition, a boy should volunteer to stay at the temple to learn Dhamma, chant with the monks, and help work at the temple such as: clean monastery area, wash dishes, and serve monk. During the middle of Buddhist Lent of full moon of September, some province in Laos especially in Luangprabang is celebration of Boat Racing festival. The celebration starts afternoon at 1pm to 5pm. First round of the racing is women which dressed black and white to open the competition. After that the game begins to compete. The people stand alongside the River to cheer their fan of boat and there is also music near River. Every one enjoyed and spent money for drinks. The festival is hosted every year in Luangprabang. It was took place of “Nam Khan River” to race the boat which the period of higher River but in dry season the River is lower.
Pha That Luang
The That Luang Festival is a public holiday in Lao, observed on the full moon in the twelfth lunar month (usually November).
Pha That Luang (the Golden Stupa) is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa located in the centre of Vientiane, the capital of Lao.
The first stupa was established in the third century, and is a sacred site as the tip is believed to house a relic of Buddha. It has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. The current incarnation dates from 1566.
It is the most important religious building in the country and a national symbol that features on the country’s emblem.
Dating back to the 16th century, the That Luang Buddhist festival is held over three-seven days during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (November).
Before dawn, thousands join in a ceremonial offering and group prayer, followed by a procession. For days afterward, a combined trade fair and carnival offers handicrafts, flowers, games, concerts, and dance shows.
The festival is one of the most popular national holidays in Lao and attracts pilgrims from all over the country and from other countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is also the date of an international trade fair promoting tourism in the region.
Lao National Day
December 2, 1975, the Pathet Lao (literally “the Lao people,” the name of the Communist Party) announces the abolition of the monarchy (as of 29 November, the King and Queen Savang Vatthana Khamphoui are forced to abdicate), and proclaims the democratic Republic of Laos. Prince Souphanouvong Thao is then sworn in President.
The new flag is introduced: blue, white and red … the color red represents the blood shed for independence, and the blue represents the Mekong, or health of the country. The white disc symbolizes the moon over the Mekong, or the unity of the country under the Communist government.
Each year takes place on this occasion a rally at the first light of day. Village by village, under large banners glorified this day, people gather. In Luang Prabang, this is the new stadium that converges all formations, silently, almost reverently. Some ethnic groups have donned their costumes and parade proudly.
It’s very surprising to find that peace reigns in the city on that day. Most people celebrate the anniversary at home with friends.
Boat racing festival, Vientiane
The biggest and the most significant boat racing festival (Boun Xuang Heua) in Laos is held at the end of Buddhist lent (Awk Phansa) in Vientiane, on the Mekong River. This is known as Vientiane Boat Racing Festival and it is more or less a national festival.
The Vientiane Boat Racing Festival is held every year, starting from the 15th day in the 11th month in lunar calendar.
The actual race is held on the 16th day, with heats starting early in the morning. Over 20 dragon boats and rower/paddler teams line up for the race on the Mekong River. The entrants come from all around Laos to compete in this significant festival.
There are usually three categories of boats: sport for men; traditional for men; and traditional for women. Teams of rowers are usually sponsored either by big name companies, such as Beer Lao, and telecom companies or by ministries or organisations in Vientiane.
Fa Ngum road, the road along the Mekong River bank, and other streets leading to the river are lined with stalls days before the actual festival starts. These sell all kind of clothes, food (especially grilled chicken and sticky rice cooked in bamboo pipes), fruits, and drinks. There are also sideshows, such as pop-the-balloons, where small prizes can be won all over the place.
On the race day, the town comes alive with noise and festivity as the teams make their way to the river either by truck or walking, banging drums and singing. The streets to and along the Mekong River bank are very crowded as thousands of spectators cram along to cheer their teams.
Lovers of this sport (yes, boat racing is a sport) make sure they get the best spot on the river bank. When the boats are racing down the river, you will hear people cheering, yelling, and banging drums along the river.
It is fun to observe and even more fun if you dare getting on the boat and be part of the rowing team.
Usually the races start with the women’s teams, followed by the men’s teams. The final round happens in the afternoon and sometimes it carries on until late in the afternoon. The winner in each category receives prize money and a trophy. After the races finish, the prizes are presented to the winners by high ranking officials.
The races and the prize presentation are forecasted live on the Lao national TV channel.
The most important secular celebrations are:
Army Day on 20 January Pathet Lao Day on 6 January People’s Party Day 22 March Women’s Day 8 March Labour Day on 1 May Children’s Day on 1 June Free Lao Day on 13 August Liberation Day on 23 August Freedom from the French Day on 12 October National Day on 2 December
LAOTIAN FUNERAL TRADITIONS
Laotian Religious Beliefs
Buddhism is the most common religion in Laos with 66% of the population identifying as Buddhist, as of 2010. Theravada Buddhism is the most common branch of Buddhism practiced in Laos. Buddhists believe in reincarnation — the cycle of death and rebirth. The goal is to escape the cycle and reach Nirvana, the end of suffering.
Death Superstitions
Laotians have several superstitions surrounding death and the deceased, including:
Not killing any animals for meals during the funeral time.
Not taking home any food from the funeral.
Avoiding making noodle dishes until after the funeral. They consider noodles as strings that could tie the deceased to their former life instead of moving on.
Besides the music and rituals associated with the funeral service, not playing music, singing, or dancing during the funeral.
Washing their hands with blessed water before leaving the funeral home and entering their home.
Preparation of the Body
When someone is dying, their family members encourage them to recite Buddhist scripture or repeat Buddha’s name. If they’re unable to speak, one of their family members will whisper it in their ear.
After someone dies, they wash the body in a ritual bathing ceremony and pour water over one of the deceased’s hands. Then, they place the body in the casket for the wake.
The Wake
At the wake, mourners can come to pay their respects to the deceased and support the grieving family. The body may be kept at home for one to three days before the funeral. However, they don’t keep the body at home if the person died unexpectedly or in an accident.
Funeral Procession
There is a funeral procession to the crematory or burial location for the Laotian funeral ceremony. Cremation is more common than burial, and both embalming and cremation are acceptable funeral practices for Buddhists.
A typical funeral procession is led by Buddhist monks, followed by nuns in white robes holding the ceremonial white cloth, family members, the hearse with the casket, and friends. For the procession, male mourners shave their heads and wear Buddhist monks’ robes.
Laotian Funeral Service
A Laotian funeral service is typically led by Buddhist monks. They lead everyone in songs and prayers. Depending on the family’s preferences, the funeral can be extravagant or a fairly simple service.
For cremation, they place the casket on a pyre. There’s also usually a funeral tower placed over the casket with the ceremonial white cloth hung on it. The monks, family, and other mourners offer candles and flowers to the deceased. After the monks lead the prayers, the female family members light the pyre. Afterward, they gather the ashes and bones to put in a small stupa.
Memorialization
After the funeral, the deceased’s family has several memorial services to honor their memory, especially 100 days and one year after the death. The mourning period varies from person to person and how well they knew the deceased.
Sport in Laos
Laos is a landlocked country in the Southeast Asian region. As with most of the region, Laos loves sports and football is by far the most popular in the country.
Their national sport is called Sepak Takraw. It is a mixture of volleyball and football. Volleyball because there is a net between the two competing teams that they have to volley the ball over and football because the players are not allowed using their hands. They make contact with the ball using their feet, chest, head and knees.
Sports play a crucial role in the society of Laos and they are one of the founding countries of the Southeast Asian Games in 1959. They have never competed in the Winter Olympics but has been in the Summer Olympic Games since 1980 but are yet to grab their first medal.
The common sports in Laos are football, volleyball, Sepak Takraw (locally known as Te Ka Tor), boxing, Petanque, shooting, and golf. Today, however, many young men are more interested in participating in various fashionable games such as billiards and snooker, badminton, cycling, tennis, table tennis and team games like basketball while others are becoming professionals in athletics, archery, judo, karate, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.
For the average Laotian, however, football, boxing and Muay Lao, are easily the most admired sports in the country. Muay Lao is a martial art, a form of kickboxing similar to others in Southeast Asia, such as Thai Boxing (Muay Thai), Burmese Lethwei, Malaysian Tomoi and Cambodian Pradal Serey. Ball Toss, foremost played in tribal areas is a well-liked courtship game.
Literature in Laos
Traditional Lao literatures consists of Buddhist sutras, jatakas (stories connected with the past lives of the Buddha), poems and epics. Many works have been lost because they were originally written in form of palm-leaf books, which perish quickly. Other were recorded and passed down orally in the form of songs and recitations. For English speakers, the pickings are even slimmer as very few works of Lao literature have been translated to English.
The most famous piece of classical Lao literature is the Pha Lak Pha Lam , an epic based on the Hindu Ramayana . Hindu literature is believed to have been introduced to Laos via the Angor civilization in Cambodia around one thousand years ago. The Lao version of the story has uniquely Lao elements. There are even some tribal versions of the Ramayana.
Art in Laos
One of the trademarks of Laos is the diversity of its people and cultures. There are a number of traditional arts and crafts that represent their way of life. Lao has a rich cultural heritage with religious art and architecture forming the cornerstone of artistic traditions.
In his book The Art of Southeast Asia , art historian Philip Rawson dismissed Laotian art as “a provincial version of the art of Siam.”
Most of the art produced in Laos is linked with Buddhism and is usually represented in the form of sculptures and to a lesser extent frescoes and mosaics of scenes from Buddha’s life Two types of figures that are unique to Laos are “Calling of Rain” and the “Contemplating the Bodhi Tree” standing Buddha poses.
Crafts of Laos
Traditional crafts associated with Laos include wood carving, silver smithing (particularly among the Hmong), mat and basket making, and weaving. Lao has 49 officially recognized ethnic groups. Each group has its own unique craft styles and traditions, particularly noticeable through their distinctive traditional clothing.
The Akha ethnic group (also known as Ikor) make their own traditional clothing. The women grow and spin cotton or hemp to make cloth. They then use natural indigo dye, before weaving the thread into cloth and decorating it with colourful embroidery. To top it all off, women wear beautiful ornate headdresses.
Each year, over 200 artists from around the country travel to Vientiane to participate in the Lao Handicraft Festival and sell an extensive variety of products including textiles, jewellery, non-timber and recycled products, pottery and many other cultural items. Beautiful handmade pieces are on sale to suit all budgets, from inexpensive souvenirs to exquisite high-end collectables. Food products such as coffee, tea, oils and spices produced in Lao are also a key feature of the event.
Some villagers produce their own incense. These sticks and produced form materials obtained from incense is three species of trees: 1) the coconut tree leaflet is used for the stick itself; 2) Crushed bark from the wild forest tree called yarng bong (Nothaphoebe umbelliflora) is used as a sticking agent.; 3) Crushed bark from another wild forest tree called mai niem, which emits fragrance as it burns.
Many villages here in Khammouane maintain their tradition of textile weaving. The patterns are often a mark of their cultural identity. Not only do the village women spin, dye and weave these textiles by themselves, but they usually grow the cotton too. Some individuals maintain the use of natural dyes collected from plants around their village. It you plan to purchase a textile, remember that buying naturally dyed pieces promotes the preservation of indigenous. Knowledge about the collection and extraction of natural dyes and their use in the weaving process.
Basket weaving is usually practiced by the men of the village during the dry season. Almost all fish traps are woven from bamboo or rattan, as are sticky rice baskets, furniture and other containers. Many of a family’s daily utensils in a village are made from raw materials gathered from nature. A good example of this is khisee resin from trees is the Dipterocarpaceae family. The resin from these trees is collected, then crushed and mixed with yang oil from another tree in the same family and used to seal wooden boats and bamboo woven buckets. Next time you ride in a long-tailed boat, notice the resin filled joints many other “non-timber forest products” are used in the daily lives and economy of villages. Ask you guide or a local villager to identify and explain how non-timber forest products are used in the villages you visit.
Crafts from Savannakhet Province in Laos
After working in the rice fields and during the agricultural off-season, locals make bamboo, straw and wood products for daily use and for sale. Items include spoons, bowls, tables, coasters and bamboo baskets for steaming sticky rice. They also create wickerwork fishing gear, wicker mats, straw hats and caps, brooms and traditional musical instruments.
In Phouthai villages south of Savannakhet Town such as Ban Lahanam Thong, locals practice traditional cotton weaving using only natural dyes. Their products are sent to markets and shops in Savannakhet City and Vientiane, or they can be purchased in the villages of origin. In Eastern Savannakhet’s Vilabouly district, the Lane Xang Minerals Group mining operation has helped establish the Lao Silk-Cotton Weaving Center to encourage villagers to improve their traditional skills and generate income for women living near the mine. In the mountainous areas around Nong and Dong Phou Vieng NPA, the Mankhong and other ethnic groups produce distinct cotton textiles and basketry.
Lao people have been carving wood and working metals for centuries, and the skills have been passed down from generation to generation. Artisans beautify the doors and windows of Buddhist temples with wood carvings and cast Buddha statues from copper, bronze, gold and silver. Savanxay Market and souvenir shops in Savannakhet Town sell miniature wood carvings, and Turtle Lake villagers carve and sell turtle-shaped figures. Savannakhet Art School north of the city teaches wood carving and other skills. It’s worth a visit to the school if you are interested in seeing how the next generation of Lao artisans is being trained.
Ceramics in Laos
Lao ceramics were first uncovered in 1970 at a construction site at kilometer 3, Thadeua Road in the Vientiane area, Mekong Valley, Laos. Construction was halted only temporarily, and the kiln was hastily and unprofessionally excavated over a one-month period. At least four more kilns have been identified since then, and surface evidence and topography indicate at least one hundred more in the Ban Tao Hai (Village of the Jar Kilns) vicinity. Archaeologists have labeled the area Sisattanak Kiln Site.
According to Honda and Shimozu , the Lao kilns are similar to the Siamese types found at Suphanburi and Si Satchanalai. But Hein, Barbetti and Sayavongkhamdy say that the Lao kilns, which are of a cross-draft clay-slab type, differ substantially not only from the Siamese types but all other types in Southeast Asia.
Because only one kiln, VS8, has been excavated, almost no questions regarding Lao ceramic tradition have been answered. The VS8 kiln though showed no evidence of brick construction. It had square chimney foundations, a narrow firebox, and was built partly above ground. +
The Sisattanak Kiln Site lies just outside Vientiane’s first city walls, which are dated to the 15th century. Radiocarbon dating of the kiln gives a 15th-17th century timeframe, with an earlier period of that range most likely. This is supported by the evidence of surface finds, which suggest that area kilns at higher elevations show a greater ratio of glazed to unglazed wares. The theory is that the kilns were moved up over time and that more glazed wares were fired over time. This is supported by the ceramics uncovered at VS8, a lower-elevation site, which were all of a utilitarian and domestic nature. They included pipes, domestic wares and architectural fittings. The VS8 excavation uncovered both unglazed and glazed wares. Most of the glazed wares were pipes; 1,500 pipe fragments and complete pieces were collected. Their quality indicates a well-developed tradition, and their motifs suggest the possibility that they were export wares.
From the examples collected to date, it can be said that Lao ceramics used one kind of clay, with 5 percent quartz added as a temper. Both the clay and the quartz were finely crushed. The glazed wares were a light, translucent green (like celadon) or various shades of brown. There have also been shards showing an olive-colored glaze, not unlike the type found in Thailand.
Many of the glazed wares have ribbed or fluted exteriors, similar to that of the silver bowls ubiquitous in Laos, both the regular silver bowls (“oh tum”) and the silver stem bowls (“khan”). Glazed ceramic stem bowls have been collected as surface finds at the Sisattanak Kiln Site. Decorations to glazed wares show a great measure of restraint, with simple incisions, stamps and fluting. Unglazed wares are similarly austere. They are generally not decorated with incisions or stamps, which are common in other Southeast Asian wares. The VS8 excavation in 1989 added to an ever-increasing body of evidence that Lao ceramic tradition is significant. Future excavations are expected to prove that Lao ceramic production was comparable to that of other countries in the region.
Traditional Textiles in Laos
Laos is famous for silk and cotton garments and garments which feature weaving techniques, weaving styles and loom designs that are unique to Laos. Textiles from the north feature a complex array of geometric patterns and animal and plant shapes mix with solid colors while southern textiles feature unique weaving styles and “tie-died” designs. The hill tribes also have their own unique styles.
Traditional Laotian textiles was decorated with long-nosed lion-elephants, Naga serpents, mountains and magical Mon birds. Buddhist and animist beliefs make their way into the diamond patterns characteristic of Lao weaving. In some places helicopters are featured motifs. The images and patterns have traditionally been painted first and then copied, which partly explains why Lao textiles are so colorful.
Made from silk or cotton, Laotian fabrics are breathable and died using vegetables and plants to give them their characteristic bright colors. The art of making Laotian silk nearly died during the period of wars that lasted form the 1950s to the 1970s. The art form has been encouraged in recent years as a source of income for the poor. Tourism has been great for business.
The traditional phaa sin — a wraparound skirt— is worn by school and university students and government office workers. A vast choice of phaa sin, shawls, bags and jewelry can be found in the morning market and around Vientiane. As well as traditional Lao weavings, you will find hill-tribe embroidery, wall hangings and quilts. The inherent art-form of weaving has been practiced in Laos since the 14th century; subsequently it has attracted the attention of affluent and educated western based weavers who have descended on Laos to re-establish the trade that dwindled under the Communist regime. Many operate on a fair trade basis, working to increase sustainable development within the country.
Weaving in Laos
The Lao people and other ethnic groups form Laos are famous for their weaving. They have traditionally used natural fibers, cotton and silk and natural dyes like blue from indigo, red from lac (a laquer made from beetle shells), pink from sappanwood and yellow from jackfruit and breadfruit wood; and have traditionally recorded events and told stories with the textiles they produced.
Weaving has traditionally been women’s work performed at home. Looms have traditionally been kept under stilted bamboo houses of Laos and unraveling silk threads and spinning cotton yarns were main the daily chores and activities performed by women. The advantage with working at home is that women could can and care for their children at the same time.
On the skill of Laotian women weavers. Carol Cassidy, the American owner of a weaving business, said, weaving skills “can’t be taught. It simply exists. Weavers come to me with skills in their hands that have been cultivated over centuries of grandmothers teaching granddaughters. My best weavers represent generations of skill.”
WOODCARVING
At one time forests covered much of Laos, providing the raw materials for the emergence of woodcarving as a major craft.
Woodcarving traditionally served as a sculptural art, and with the spread of Buddhism it assumed an increasingly important role in the production of Buddha images and the carving of temple and palace door frames, pillars, roofs, lintels and decorative friezes. During the Lane Xang era skilled carpenters were also employed to produce royal thrones, ornate wooden furniture, royal barges and other forms of regal and aristocratic transportation such as palanquins and elephant howdahs. By the early 20th century their work had expanded to include the production of high-quality tables, chairs and cabinets for a growing urban middle class.
The decline in traditional Buddhist practices during the 1970s resulted in the loss of many traditional woodcarving skills within the monkhood which the UNESCO Cultural Survival and Revival in the Buddhist Sangha Project in Luang Prabang, is currently seeking to revive. In the meantime, despite restrictions on woodcutting designed to halt the country’s already serious environmental degradation, demand for domestic furniture shows no sign of abating.
Laotian Traditional Music
Laotian music is often compared with Cambodia and Thailand’s music since they have the same Siamese origin. Above all, Laos’ music also has its own characteristics and features. It has been divided into two categories: classical and folk music. With the support of a traditional instrument: Khene, Wot, and Laos’ Dance, they have made up a Laotian combination of unique and fascination.
Origin of Laos Music
Laotian music is under the influence of many kinds of music coming from China and Thailand. Since the immigration of Tai people from Southern China to Laos and Thailand nowadays, we see Laos and Thailand share some similar features in music: they both use “Wot” as their traditional instrument in Laos and Northern Thailand. Another reason adding to the similarity of Laos and Thailand music is that the Siamese conquered Laos around the 19th century from Thailand. If the north of Laos is affected by Chinese and Thai culture, Southern part of Laos is under the influence of Mon-Khmer’s culture; therefore, Laos’ music also contains Mon-Khmer Soul in it.
Laos Khene
Khene is the identification of Laotian traditional music since every traditional song or dance, there’s always the presence of Khene. This instrument is a mouth organ made of 7-8 pairs of bamboo pipes which connect with a small, hollowed-out hardwood reservoir. That is where the air coming in and creating the sound like the violin. There is a Laotian sentence meaning: If a person lives in a stilted house, eats sticky rice, listen to Mor Lam or Lam Lao (Laos’music) and plays Khene, that person must be a Laotian or has some relation to Laos. Khene can be considered as the national music instrument in Laos. Its usage is also variable and simple, we can choose to play it alone and enjoy the sound or use to support singer or regards it as instrument ensembles.
Additionally, a Laotian traditional storytelling show Garavek featuring Khene has been very popular in Luang Prabang is an example of Laotian folk music. In the show, you will have a chance to hear about the legendary story about Luang Prabang which explains names of many famous sites in Luang Prabang, which is another way to enjoy the show and gain more knowledge about this unique land, Laos.
Laos Classical Music
Laotian classical music closely relates to the same kind of music from Siam (Siam can partly be understood as Thailand). The classical genre is divided into two types of music: Sep Nyai and Sep Noi. Sep Nyai is usually used as formal music in ceremonies and important occasions, meanwhile, Sep Noi allows you to play popular tones.
Laos Folk music
The most important feature to distinguish between Laotian classical music and Laotian Folk Music is their instruments. Laotian folk music is one kind of extemporaneous singing with the companion of “Khene (Khane)” which is Laos’ most popular traditional instrument. Folk music is called “Lam” and Mor Lam is another version of Lam including two singers: one male and one female with a khene player and another instrument player. In another way, Mor Lam is also understood as a group of folk music singers and players.
Laos Folk Dance
Lao folk dances are numerous and varied, much like lam Laos. In fact, most lam also has an associated folk dance. And other popular dances include the southern Lam Tang Vai and Lam Saravane
The most popular folk dance, however, is the lam vong. It is the national dance of Laos, and versions of it exist throughout the Lao-speaking region and even Cambodia, where it is known as ramvon. A slow and graceful couples dance, the men form an inner circle and the women an outer circle, with couples dancing around each other while moving in their respective circles. It is a common feature of weddings, celebrations, and other social events.
Bamboo Dance
Bamboo Dance is the most exciting dance in Laos’ mountainous area. This kind of dancing requires your flexibility and skillful feet in each move. Your job is to listen to the music and try your best to move with the rhythm while two other persons tap and switch the bamboo poles on the ground and against each other. The pleasure and enjoyment of the dance are created in order to celebrate a special occasion or festival.
Lao Traditional Houses
The architecture of the house is really rich and varied, although all are built on the foundation of traditional houses, we always encounter a combination of different architectural styles. Most of the buildings were built between 1910 and 1925. This type of home is probably still popular because it has the appropriate techniques to be climatic lands such as the roof system, cargo the spacious terrace, ventilation system and so on. Especially, it also combines the traditional architecture of Laos: the form of roofs, decorative details.
The Lao people often live along rivers and streams. In the architecture of the Lao people, the house is usually made of wood, the way along the rivers or streams and always towards one direction. Like the Southeast Asian countries, house building is considered a serious business and every custom strictly adhere. According to Lao people, the house is regarded as a refuge throughout life. And all joys or sorrows take place under this house takes place in their own home.
How to Build Lao Traditional Houses
To build a wooden house even it is large or small, Lao people follow these steps:
First, they will find a huge pillar, then prepare enough number of bamboo sticks to build a house, the next step will bury the columns and wall around, and the last step is to make the roof, the roof is typical of Lao people.
According to the Lao people, the determinant of sustainability in the house of the Lao people is the column. Because the pole is buried underground, it is very easy to cause moisture, so this wood must be good wood. The good trees must be straight, to be selected. If unfortunately choose to make a bad wood home, Lao people think that it will cause damage to the health of homeowners. After picking up the favorite tree, before cutting it, the host must go around three circles from left to right, knocking on the trunk and reading pleas for good things. When cutting, the owner must choose the direction of the tree to the ground immediately. The column is moved to the village, using fire to peel and hole. The calculation of the size of the house is done by a master. For Lao people, numbers 6, 8, 9 are considered lucky numbers.
After preparing all the materials, the elders will choose a good day, and the landlord will inform everyone in the village of the house. According to Laotian custom, every household has someone to help. And all the work on the pillar must be completed in one day.
Laotians usually build their houses in the north, with their back facing south. If you turn to another direction or the house crossing east-west is taboo. According to the Lao custom, a house must have eight columns. When building houses, people also have to build 2 columns south and east first. Before putting up the column, add fresh banana leaf or gravel beforehand. At the top of the column tied fresh leaves with thread or silkworm. By the rituals and the processes, Lao people believe that happiness will come to the owner, labor life will be lucky.
After completing the house, before moving to the new house, Participants in the village include members of the village and the elderly. Previously, the ceremony was held solemnly and carefully, but today it has been simplified.
Structure of the Lao Traditional Houses
The house of the Lao people is divided into two main parts: the outside is the dining, cooking, and living of the whole family. Inside is a suite of closets, where parents and children stay. If it is the home of their chief, there will be a chamber to worship. In particular, children, women, strangers are not allowed to enter the door. The house of the Lao often has a short roof and a long roof, so the house is not bright. It may be south-west wind architecture in the rainy season and the East-North wind in the dry season.
Today, Lao people tend to build bigger houses than before with higher roofs and more windows. Under the house, there are only looms and tools. At the foot of the stairs, the Lao people often plant marigold flowers. A special feature in the design of the Lao people, they do not build toilets. In the north, in some villages, they often stool into rivers or streams. In some places, bowing to the river is a taboo. When using a spade to dig holes for defecation, the Lao people think that if the ghost eats his feces, he will die of the intestinal disease.
Laos National Flower – Dok Champa
Whenever you travel to Laos, it is easy to encounter this typical flower everywhere. The scientific name of this kind of flower is Plumeria Rubra Flower which belongs to the genus Plumeria and the more well-known name is Frangipani. If you intend to ask locals about Plumeria Rubra or Frangipani, they absolutely don’t have any idea about it, instead, Plumeria is known under the name Dok Champa by Laotian. Dok Champa consists of two parts Dok and Champa. Dok means flower and Champa is the name of frangipani in Laotian.
Dok Champa has a pure color and an elegant scent, making it the perfect symbol of sincerity and joy in life. It also represents immortality according to Buddhism. As a result, Dok Champa is very easy to come across near temples and monasteries around Laos. Dok Champa has a lot of meanings depending on which cultures we are talking about. In some places, it is believed that Dok Champa is the perfect gift as it is the symbol of luck and a new beginning. If someone gives you Dok Champa as presents, it means that the person wants to cheer you up and hope that you would leave negative things behind and move forward to a brighter future.
To Laotians, in particular, this national flower shows the gentle and sweet nature of the people whose mellowness is forged mostly by Buddhism.
Although Laos has tens of thousands of beautiful flowers and most of which are eye-catching and have rich scents, Dok Champa still holds a special place in the heart of Laotians and is an irreplaceable part of this lovely country’s culture. It showcases the profound meanings hidden behind it and the perfect way in which it describes the characteristics of Lao people – gentle, kind, not too passionate but undoubtedly good-natured.
Dok Champa Flower in Daily Life
Given its association with Buddhism, Dok Champa is planted everywhere in Laos and it’s especially easy to be found in monasteries and temples. In fact, Lao people plant so much Dok Champa to the point that the country is sometimes referred to as the “Kingdom of Champa.” If you have the chance to go to Laos and participate in any festivals of this beautiful country, you will see how much Laotians adore their national flower. As Dok Champa blooms during April and May, just in the time for the traditional Laos New Year, it has become an important part of the festival itself.
Before the festival actually arrives, Laotians collect a lot of Champa flowers and store them in their houses. They put some into jars and pour alcohol diluted with distilled water to get Champa fragrant water. This kind of fragrant water is then poured into a silver bowl and placed in the living room on New Year’s Day. People then dip Dok Champa into this kind of water and flick it on the shoulders of the visitors that come to their houses during New Year to send their best regards.
Lao nobles used to use Dok Champa water to bathe and the flowers to decorate their hair during the New Year. Couples often use Dok Champa as gifts to express their earnest and loyal love. Dok Champa is also used on the hair of the girls that perform Lam vong, the traditional and most popular dance of Laos. It can be said the Dok Champa has become so much more than just a beloved type of flower, it represents the characteristics of Lao people and has penetrated deep into the daily life of locals to the point that it can express the identity of the whole nation.
Laos national animal
The national animal of Laos is an Indian Elephant. Many different species of elephants are found in Laos, and that is why it is called as Land of Million Elephants. It is also a symbol of prosperity and strength for people of Laos.
