Laos
At a glance..
Population: approx 6 million People: Lao (52.5%), Phuthai (10.5%), Khmu (11%), Hmong (6.9%). 47 ethnic groups Capital City: Vientiane (population approx 320,000) Language: Lao, French Climate: Tropical climate is very clear with two distinctive seasons Religion: Buddhism 65.4% Buddhist, 33.1% animist, 1.3 % Currency: Kip Time: GMT + 7 Geography Laos is a land-locked country, bordering China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma. It is largely mountainous. The most fertile land is found in the valley of the Mekong, which flows from the north of Laos to the south and which forms the frontier with Thailand for over 60% of its length. |
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History and politics
The Mekong valley has been fought over for thousands of years. But modern Laos started coming into shape with the arrival of Buddhism in 1356. The country was under Japanese occupation from 1941–45 and then occupied by the French until 1953 when it gained its independence. Laos then found itself embroiled in regional conflicts resulting from the struggle for control of South Vietnam. The North Vietnamese supported the Pathet Lao, a nationalist front organisation controlled by the communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The Thais and the Americans supported right-wing groups. Prince Souvanna Phouma, Prime Minister for most of the period from 1951 to 1975, attempted to follow a neutral course. Following the American withdrawal from Vietnam the Lao Communists consolidated their control of Laos, which culminated in the abolition of the monarchy and establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in December 1975. As the LPRP instituted a one-party state and introduced tough socialist reforms of the economy it continued its hard line policies until economic difficulties in the late 1980s forced it to bring in more liberal measures in line with those being adopted in Vietnam, with which Laos has been closely aligned since 1975. Since the late eighties, Lao PDR has introduced market-based principles to an economy previously organized under a centrally planned socialist model.
Major centres
Vientiane: Vientiane, capital of Laos is busy and hectic in comparison to the rest of the country, it is quiet compared with any other city in Asia. Vientiane, as all of Lao's major cities, is situated on the Mekong river which forms the lifeline of the country. Vientiane is the hub for all travel in the country. The city has a population of 450,000, about 10% of the country. Old French colonial houses are being restored as offices, restaurants and hotels. There are only a handful of modern buildings which sometimes look remarkably out of place in this quiet capital. The two must-see landmarks are the Patouxay (or Victory Monument) and That Luang temple with amazing golden spires and stupas. Other temples of note include Pha That Luang, Wat Sisaket and Wat Simuang.
Luang Prabang: Lao's second biggest city, Luang Prabang was the royal capital of Laos until the 1975 revolution, this World Heritage site remains a charming curiosity of ancient temples and French colonial architecture. Today, Luang Prabang is a sleepy town of 16,000 inhabitants with a handful of historic temples and old French mansions in a beautiful mountain setting. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 new buildings have been limited and development must be in keeping with this exquisite place. The town sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. A large hill called Phu Si dominates the town skyline. Most of the historic temples are between Phu Si and the Mekong. The whole town can easily be covered, on foot, in a day or two.
Language
The official language of Laos is Lao, as spoken and written in Vientiane. There are five main dialects in the country, each of which can be divided into further sub-dialects. All Lao dialects are closely related to the languages spoken in Thailand, northern Myanmar and pockets of China's Yunnan Province.
Customs
Traditional culture in Laos has been heavily influenced by various strains of Khmer, Vietnamese and Thai cultures. Though westernization is creeping in, the Lao people still hang on to their slower, more peaceful way of life. About seventy percent of the locals are practicing Theravada Buddhists, so an emphasis on compassion pervades daily living. The best way to ensure you avoid offense is to be aware of the actions of the local people around you and follow their lead. There are, however a couple of points, which are worth noting:
About 60% of the Lao people are Buddhists. The Laos-Lum (Valley Laos) people follow the Hinayana (Theravada) form of Buddhism. The religions of the Laos-Theung (Laos of the mountain tops) range from traditional Confucianism to animism and Christianity. Every Lao Buddhist male is expected to become a monk for a short period of his life, usually between school and starting a career or getting married.
Public holidays and festivals
The traditional Lao calendar, like the calendars of China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, is a solar-lunar mix. Festivals in Laos are mostly linked to agricultural seasons or historical Buddhist holidays. The dates may change from year to year but the main holidays celebrated include:
Bun Pha Wet: January. This is a temple-centred festival, and one of the times when Lao males are ordained into the monk-hood.
Magha Puja: February. This festival commemorates the speech given by Buddha to 1,250 enlightened monks.
Boun Pimai: April. Lao New Year, celebrated over three days. This festival is most fervently observed in Luang Prabang. Statues of Buddha are given a ceremonial dousing of water.
Boun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival): May. This is a Buddhist rain-making festival, and celebrated by blasting large bamboo rockets into the sky.
Haw Khao Padap Din: Full moon in August. This is a sombre festival to pay respect to the dead.
Boun Ok Phansaa: September. This marks the end of the Buddhist Lent, when devotees bring offerings to the Wat's. It also marks the end of the rainy season. Boat races take place on the Mekong river.
Awk Phansaa: Full moon in October. This festival marks the end of the 3-month rain retreat. Monks are given new robes, alms bowl and other items. People float banana-leaf boats called Lai Hua Fai, with candles down the river and lakes.
Boun Nam (Water Festival): October. is a festival held in waterways, characterised by boat races in major towns.
Lao National Day: December - commemorates the 1975 abolishment of the monarchy.
The Mekong valley has been fought over for thousands of years. But modern Laos started coming into shape with the arrival of Buddhism in 1356. The country was under Japanese occupation from 1941–45 and then occupied by the French until 1953 when it gained its independence. Laos then found itself embroiled in regional conflicts resulting from the struggle for control of South Vietnam. The North Vietnamese supported the Pathet Lao, a nationalist front organisation controlled by the communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The Thais and the Americans supported right-wing groups. Prince Souvanna Phouma, Prime Minister for most of the period from 1951 to 1975, attempted to follow a neutral course. Following the American withdrawal from Vietnam the Lao Communists consolidated their control of Laos, which culminated in the abolition of the monarchy and establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in December 1975. As the LPRP instituted a one-party state and introduced tough socialist reforms of the economy it continued its hard line policies until economic difficulties in the late 1980s forced it to bring in more liberal measures in line with those being adopted in Vietnam, with which Laos has been closely aligned since 1975. Since the late eighties, Lao PDR has introduced market-based principles to an economy previously organized under a centrally planned socialist model.
Major centres
Vientiane: Vientiane, capital of Laos is busy and hectic in comparison to the rest of the country, it is quiet compared with any other city in Asia. Vientiane, as all of Lao's major cities, is situated on the Mekong river which forms the lifeline of the country. Vientiane is the hub for all travel in the country. The city has a population of 450,000, about 10% of the country. Old French colonial houses are being restored as offices, restaurants and hotels. There are only a handful of modern buildings which sometimes look remarkably out of place in this quiet capital. The two must-see landmarks are the Patouxay (or Victory Monument) and That Luang temple with amazing golden spires and stupas. Other temples of note include Pha That Luang, Wat Sisaket and Wat Simuang.
Luang Prabang: Lao's second biggest city, Luang Prabang was the royal capital of Laos until the 1975 revolution, this World Heritage site remains a charming curiosity of ancient temples and French colonial architecture. Today, Luang Prabang is a sleepy town of 16,000 inhabitants with a handful of historic temples and old French mansions in a beautiful mountain setting. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 new buildings have been limited and development must be in keeping with this exquisite place. The town sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. A large hill called Phu Si dominates the town skyline. Most of the historic temples are between Phu Si and the Mekong. The whole town can easily be covered, on foot, in a day or two.
Language
The official language of Laos is Lao, as spoken and written in Vientiane. There are five main dialects in the country, each of which can be divided into further sub-dialects. All Lao dialects are closely related to the languages spoken in Thailand, northern Myanmar and pockets of China's Yunnan Province.
Customs
Traditional culture in Laos has been heavily influenced by various strains of Khmer, Vietnamese and Thai cultures. Though westernization is creeping in, the Lao people still hang on to their slower, more peaceful way of life. About seventy percent of the locals are practicing Theravada Buddhists, so an emphasis on compassion pervades daily living. The best way to ensure you avoid offense is to be aware of the actions of the local people around you and follow their lead. There are, however a couple of points, which are worth noting:
- Short and revealing clothes are generally not acceptable.
- Public displays of affection are taboo in Lao society.
- Avoid touching anyone on the head or using the feet to point at anything.
- Appropriate dress and behavior when entering places of worship is essential.
- The Lao government prohibits any sexual contact or relationships between Lao nationals and foreigners, unless married under Lao law; penalties may involve heavy fines or imprisonment.
- It is illegal not to carry an identity document.
- Handshaking is not that usual; Lao people greet each other with their palms together and a slight bowing of the head.
- Take care when discussing politics and related subjects in conversation so as not to cause offense.
About 60% of the Lao people are Buddhists. The Laos-Lum (Valley Laos) people follow the Hinayana (Theravada) form of Buddhism. The religions of the Laos-Theung (Laos of the mountain tops) range from traditional Confucianism to animism and Christianity. Every Lao Buddhist male is expected to become a monk for a short period of his life, usually between school and starting a career or getting married.
Public holidays and festivals
The traditional Lao calendar, like the calendars of China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, is a solar-lunar mix. Festivals in Laos are mostly linked to agricultural seasons or historical Buddhist holidays. The dates may change from year to year but the main holidays celebrated include:
Bun Pha Wet: January. This is a temple-centred festival, and one of the times when Lao males are ordained into the monk-hood.
Magha Puja: February. This festival commemorates the speech given by Buddha to 1,250 enlightened monks.
Boun Pimai: April. Lao New Year, celebrated over three days. This festival is most fervently observed in Luang Prabang. Statues of Buddha are given a ceremonial dousing of water.
Boun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival): May. This is a Buddhist rain-making festival, and celebrated by blasting large bamboo rockets into the sky.
Haw Khao Padap Din: Full moon in August. This is a sombre festival to pay respect to the dead.
Boun Ok Phansaa: September. This marks the end of the Buddhist Lent, when devotees bring offerings to the Wat's. It also marks the end of the rainy season. Boat races take place on the Mekong river.
Awk Phansaa: Full moon in October. This festival marks the end of the 3-month rain retreat. Monks are given new robes, alms bowl and other items. People float banana-leaf boats called Lai Hua Fai, with candles down the river and lakes.
Boun Nam (Water Festival): October. is a festival held in waterways, characterised by boat races in major towns.
Lao National Day: December - commemorates the 1975 abolishment of the monarchy.
