Laos
Peace, independence, democracy, unity, and prosperity
Basic Information
History of Laos
*First Laotian state was founded which ruled Laos until it spilt
*Three separate kingdoms
*A strong nationalist movement developed during World War II
*France reestablished control in 1946
*Full independence within the French Union in 1950
*In 1951, Prince Souphanouvong organized the Pathet Lao
*The pathet is a Communist independence movement, in North Vietnam
*Viet Minh and Pathet Lao forces invaded central Laos, resulting in civil war
*Full sovereignty was given to the kingdom by the Paris Agreements of Dec. 29, 1954
*The agreement of war broke down in 1959, and armed conflict began anew
*In 1960, the struggle became a three-way fight as Gen
*In 1961, a cease-fire was arranged and the three princes agreed to a coalition government headed by Souvanna Phouma
Language
Religion
Government
Social Class
Traditions
Despite global modernization, much of Lao culture is still profoundly influenced by Buddhist thinking, attitudes, and behavior. It is impossible to understand Lao culture without having at least a basic understanding of the Hinayana Buddhist tradition which came to the country from Cambodia over 450 years ago, which was before they were profound to be a country.
Food
90% the main source of grain for breakfast will be a couple of handfuls of sticky rice. Fried dried meats, dried fish, and sometimes egg would be be served with it. Rice, corn, and beans were foods that were eaten very often. Laos people love to eat sticky or glutinous rice, rather than long-grain rice. Vegetables, meat, fish and sometimes a soup, are put in the center of the table for all diners to share. For there sticky rice they will roll it into a ball an dip it into one of the dishes before it is eaten.
Vegetables that are readily grown in Laos include tomatoes, cucumbers, different types of eggplants, cabbages, salad leaves, chilies and other peppers, yams, onions, snake beans, winged beans and mushrooms. Their meat was water buffalo, pork, and chicken. They would also eat poultry Insects, frogs, snakes, mouse deer, quail and small birds, wild herbs, edible cane, and aromatic tree bark.
Wardrobe
Traditional Laotian clothing arose centuries ago and spread through the major ethnic groups, specifically the Lao and Hmong. Colorful patterns and bright colors remain popular for traditional clothing styles, though modern, Western-style dress now dominates everyday city life in Laos.
Men's Clothing
Women's Clothing
Jewelry
Music
Nuclear or Extended Family
Lao simple life is slowly being replaced by modern lifestyles and the extended families are gradually being replaced by nuclear ones as people have fewer children these days.
Beliefs and Customs
They believed that right thinking, ritual sacrifices, and self-denial will enable the soul to reach nirvana (a state of eternal bliss) at death. They live in fear of their gods and constantly strive to appease them with religious chants, rituals, and sacrifices. They also believe that existence is a continuing cycle of death and rebirth, a process known as reincarnation. One third of the Lao are ethnic religionists, combining folk animism (belief that non-living objects have spirits) with Buddhism. They seek help through various supernatural beings and objects. Of major importance to them are the "territorial deities." At prayer they ask God to use the Lao believers to share the love of Jesus with there own people.