  Left: A Lao woman wearing traditional clothing inLuang Prabang, Laos Right: A Lao man doing thesabaidee | |
| Total population | |
| c.22 million (including LaoIsan)[a][1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Laos | 3,427,665[2] |
 Thailand | 17,822,432 (including LaoIsan people)(2010)[3] |
 France | 200,000[4] |
 United States | 200,000(2015)[5] |
 Cambodia | 23,400 (includingKhmer Lao people)[1] |
 Canada | 24,580(2016)[6] |
 Australia | 17,000[1] |
 Vietnam | 17,532[7] |
 South Korea | 10,520[8] |
 Germany | 4,000[9] |
 Japan | 3,602[10] |
 Singapore | 2,401[11] |
 Argentina | 2,000[12] |
 New Zealand | 1,374[13] |
 Belgium | 1,067[14] |
 United Kingdom | 1,000[15] |
 Switzerland | 1,000[15] |
 Sweden | 1,000[15] |
 New Caledonia | 1,000[15] |
 Guyana | 1,000[15] |
 Netherlands | 356[16] |
 Taiwan | 60[17] |
 Russia | 18[18] |
 Philippines | 13[19] |
 Macau | 10[citation needed] |
| Languages | |
| Lao | |
| Religion | |
.svg) Buddhism,Laotian folk religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| OtherTai peoples (e.g.Black Tai people,Isan people,Dai people, etc.) | |
TheLao people are aTai ethnic group native toSoutheast Asia, primarily inhabitingLaos and northeasternThailand. They speak theLao language, part of theKra–Dai language family, and are the dominant ethnic group inLaos. Significant Lao communities also reside in Thailand’sIsan region, where they form a regional majority, as well as in smaller numbers inCambodia,Vietnam, andMyanmar.
Culturally and linguistically, the Lao share close ties with other Tai peoples, particularly theThai. The Isan people of Thailand, for instance, are ethnically Lao but nationally Thai.Theravada Buddhism is central to Lao identity, shaping cultural practices and social norms, thoughanimist traditions persist, especially in rural communities. This syncretism reflects a blend of indigenous beliefs and Buddhist influences.
Historically, the terms "Lao" and "Laotian" were used ambiguously in Western contexts. Before Laos gained independence fromFrance in 1953, both terms often referred broadly to all inhabitants of the region. Post-independence, "Lao" typically denotes the ethnic group, while "Laotian" refers to any citizen of Laos, regardless of ethnicity. However, inconsistent usage persists internationally, with some sources conflating the terms. The Lao people trace their historical roots to theLan Xang Kingdom (14th–18th century), a major Southeast Asian power that solidified their cultural and political identity.
The etymology of the term "Lao" remains uncertain, although it is potentially connected to ethnic groups identified as the "Ai Lao" (Lao:ອ້າຍລາວ, Thai: อ้ายลาว,Chinese:哀牢;pinyin:Āiláo,Vietnamese: Ai Lao) mentioned inHan dynasty historical records residing in what is nowYunnan Province. Tribes descended from the Ai Lao included the Tai tribes that migrated toSoutheast Asia.[20]
According to the French linguistMichel Ferlus (2009), the ethnonym and autonym of the Lao people (ລາວ); nationality of the inhabitants of Laos is formed by the monosyllabization of the Austroasiaticetymon for 'human being'*k.raw.[21] The peoples named Lao (lǎo 獠), supposed to be the ancestors of the Lao and some other Tai-Kadai populations, settled in the upperTonkin and in parts of Yúnnán andGuìzhōu during the reign of theTáng:[21]
This reconstruction of the pronunciation for the phonogram 獠 confirms that 'Lao' originates in the etymon*k.raːw.[21]
The English wordLaotian, used interchangeably with Lao in most contexts, comes from Frenchlaotien/laotienne. The dominant ethnicity ofNortheastern Thailand who descend from the Lao are differentiated from the Lao of Laos and by theThais by the termIsan people orThai Isan (Lao:ໄທ ອີສານ, Isan: ไทยอีสาน,Thai pronunciation:[iːsǎ:n]), a Sanskrit-derived term meaningnortheast, but 'Lao' is still used.[22]
 Images of Lao Loum (centre) with theLao Soung and theLao Theung | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 12 million (est.) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Laos,Thailand | |
| Languages | |
| Lao,Thai, other Tai languages | |
| Religion | |
| Theravada Buddhism andSatsana Phi |
InLaos, little distinction is made between the Lao and other closely relatedTai peoples with mutually intelligible languages who are grouped together asLao Loum or 'Lowland Lao' (Lao:ລາວລຸ່ມ;Thai:ลาวลุ่ม,RTGS: Lao Lum,pronounced[lāːwlûm]). The Lao Loum constitute the majority of the Lao people.[23][24] The Lao Loum, literally meaning 'lowland Lao', are the inhabitants of the river valleys and lowlands along theMekong River and make up over 68% of the population of Laos, of whom half are of the Lao ethnic group.[25] Other members categorised as Lao Loum are the other large Tai groups, such as thePhuan andPhu Thai and other closely related members of Tai ethnic groups.[26][27][28][29][30]
Most of these groups share many common cultural traits and speak dialects or languages that are very similar, with only minor differences in tones, vocabulary, and pronunciation of certain words, but usually not enough to impede conversation. Other groups, such as theNyaw andPhuthai consider themselves distinct, and often have differences in clothing that distinguish them.[31]
Early Chinese records employed the term Yue to denote the non-Han Chinese people south of the Yangtze. During theSpring and Autumn period (770-475 BC), the term was applied to a state on the southeast coast which was destroyed in 334 BC as the Han Chinese moved across the Yangtze and into the south. Subsequently, the term “Hundred Yue” was applied generically to the subjugated non-Han Chinese peoples in the south, with modifiers to denote groups in different locations or with some other distinguishing characteristics (Phomphan 1988). The term Yue fades from usage around 0 AD as the Chinese gained more knowledge of the southern peoples and began using other descriptors (Barlow 2001, chs. 1–2; Taylor 1983, 41–4). None of the modern terms used for Tai groups can be detected in these descriptors except Lao or Ai Lao people, which was applied to a variety of groups, mostly Hill-dwellers (Taylor 1983, 172; Cholthira 2001, 22–4).[citation needed]
This indicates that the Lao are at the very least a Proto-Tai group; perhaps even that all Tai groups are actually subgroups of these ancient Lao people, as there are no descriptors to indicate the existence of any group called Tai living south of the Yangtze, subsequently the first references of a group called Tai appeared in the 13th centuries, no such references of a group called or calling themselves Tai seem to exist.[citation needed]
Other indicators that these early Proto-Tai groups called themselves Lao people can be seen in the Chronicles of theTai Dam or Black Tai people, “Returning along Mae Nam Taav (The Red river) as promised, the expedition passed through near today’s border of China and Vietnam, To mark their arrival, they named the area Lao Cai, which means “where the Lao passed over.” Lao Cai is now a province in Northwest Vietnam. Also, about 5 kilometers north of Lao Cai, there is a town still named “Lao Phan” which means “where the Lao passed through.” Some Tai people still live there” (G.E. Hall, A History of SEA (1981))[citation needed]
According to a shared legend amongst various Tai tribes, a possibly mythical king,Khun Borom Rachathiriat ofMueang Then (ເມືອງແຖນ, เมืองแถน,[mɯ́əŋtʰɛ̌ːn]) begot several sons that settled and ruled othermueang, or city-states, across South-East Asia and southern China.[33] Descended from ancient peoples known to the Chinese as the Yue and the Ai Lao, the Tai tribes began migrating into Southeast Asia by the beginning of the 1st millennium, but large-scale migrations took place between the 7th and 13th centuries AD, especially from what is nowSipsongbanna,Yunnan Province andGuangxi. The possible reasons that actuated Tai migration includemigratory pressures stemmed from Han Chineseexpansionism,Mongol invasions and incursions into Southeast Asia, the area's temperate climate and suitable land for wet rice cultivation, in addition to the fall of states that the Tais inhabited.[34][35] According to linguistic and other historical evidence, Tai-speaking tribes migrated southwestward to the modern territories of Laos and Thailand fromGuangxi sometime between the 8th–10th centuries.[36]
The Tai assimilated or driven out indigenousAustroasiaticMon–Khmer peoples, and settled on the fringes of theIndianized kingdoms of theMon andKhmer Empire. The blending of peoples and the influx of Indian philosophy, religion, language, culture and customs via and alongside someAustroasiatic element enriched the Tai peoples, but the Tais remained in contact with the other Taimueang.[37]
The Tai states took advantage of the waningKhmer Empire and emerged independent. The Lao reckon the beginnings of their national history to this time, as many important monuments, temples, artwork, and other aspects of classical Lao culture harken back to this time period. From this point, one can refer to the Tai states of theChao Phraya River valley as Siam[38] and, albeit quite anachronistically, Lan Xang as Laos.
TheKingdom of Lanxang, the "Land of One Million Elephants", began in 1354 AD, when Somdej Phra ChaoFa Ngum (1354 - 1373 AD) returned to Mueang Sua (ເມືອງຊວາ, เมืองซวา), thence renamedXieng Thong (ຊຽງທອງ, เชียงทอง) and now known as Luang Prabang. From this base Lan Xang extended its sphere of influence to all of modern-day Laos and theKhorat Plateau of Thailand as well as parts ofSipsongbanna in southern China,Sip Song Chau Tai in northwestern Vietnam,Kengtung in Myanmar, andStung Treng in Cambodia.
The powerful Kingdom of Lan Xang had wealth and influence due to the location of its capital along the Silk Route and also serving as the center of Buddhism in Southeast Asia.[39] The kingdom prospered with riverine traffic along theMekong and overland caravan routes to the ports of Siam, which had emerged as a bustling entrepôt of sea-borne trade, and to southern China and otherTaimueang. The first Western visitors during the reign of Phra ChaoSourigna Vongsa (ພຣະເຈົ້າສຸຣິຍະວົງສາທັມມິກຣາດ, พระเจ้าสุริยวงศาธรรมิกราช) (1634–1697 AD) noted how the kingdom prospered off exports of gold, benzoin resin,lac and lacquer ware, medicinal herbs, ivory, silk and silk clothing, and wood. Numerous temples, especially in Xieng Thong (nowLuang Phrabang) andVientiane, attest this.[40]
During this time, the legends ofKhun Borom were recorded on palm-leaf manuscripts and the Lao classical epicSin Xay was composed.Therevada Buddhism was the state religion, and Vientiane was an important city ofBuddhist learning. Cultural influences, besides Buddhism, included theMon outposts later assimilated into the kingdom and theKhmer. A brief union of the crowns ofLannathai and Lanxang under Phra ChaoSai Sethathirath (ພຣະເຈົ້າໄຊເສດຖາທິຣາດ, พระเจ้าไชยเชษฐาธิราช) (1548–1572 AD) introduced some architectural and artistic developments. The libraries of Lannathai were copied, including much religious literature. This may have led to the adoption, or possibly re-adoption, of theMon-basedTua Tham, or 'dharma script' for religious writings.[40]
The kingdom split into three rival factions, ruling from Luang Phra Bang, Vientiane, andChampasak (ຈຳປາສັກ, จำปาศักดิ์). The kingdoms quickly fell under Siamese rule. The remnants of Lan Xang received their final blows in the 18th and 19th centuries, during the campaigns ofTaksin, and retribution for theLaotian Rebellion of ChaoAnouvong (ເຈົ້າອນຸວົງ, เจ้าอนุวงศ์) against Siamese rule during the reign ofRama III. During both these periods, Vientiane and other cities were looted and their Buddha images and artwork moved to Thailand.[41] The cities and much of the population was forcibly removed and settled in the lesser populated regions ofIsan and central Thailand and others were enslaved to docorvée projects,[42] resulting in Lao arts and language finding their way into Central Thailand. By the time theFrench reached Laos in 1868, they found only a depopulated region with even the great city of Vientiane disappearing into the forest.[41]
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The area of Laos, then annexed by Siam, was explored by the French and, underAuguste Pavie, the French were keen to control theMekong. The French, as overlords of Vietnam, wanted all the tributaries of Vietnam, including the remnant territories ofLanxang. This led to Frenchgunboat diplomacy and border skirmishes known as theFranco-Siamese conflict of 1893, which forced Siam to cede its claims to most of what constitutes modern-day Laos.[43]
The French prevented and preserved the Lao from becoming a regional sub-category of the Thai nation, much like their brethren inIsan, also known as the 'North-Eastern Thai'. Like former historical rivalries between the kings of Luang Phrabang, Champasak and Vientiane, post-independence Laos was quickly divided between the royalists under PrinceBoun Oum of Champasak (ເຈົ້າບຸນອຸ້ມ ນະ ຈຳປາສັກ, เจ้าบุญอุ้ม ณ จำปาศักดิ์), the neutralists under PrinceSouvanna Phouma (ເຈົ້າສວັນນະພູມາ, เจ้าสุวรรณภูมา), and the communistPathet Lao (ປະເທດລາວ, ประเทศลาว, pá tʰêːt lá:w) under his half-brother PrinceSouphanouvong (ເຈົ້າສຸພານນະວົງ, เจ้าสุภานุวงศ์). These internal divisions, with theCold War and the region quickly being drawn into theVietnam War, led to a protracted battle for government control that would not end until the communist victory in 1975.[44]
TheLaotian Civil War was disastrous for the country; however, over the years the country has since relaxed many of its restrictions, which has opened up the country to trade and business resulting in Laos notably having the second fastest growing economy in Asia in recent years.[citation needed]
Laos has garnered several famous tourism awards by successfully promoting its northern city,Luang Prabang, as the newest tourist destination including serving as a religious hub where tourists may participate in almsgiving during morning procession of Lao Buddhist monks.[45]
Although parts of Isan were settled and were part of Lanxang, many of the Lao were forcibly settled in the lesser populated southern and western regions or sent to boost the populations of Lao mueang loyal to the Siamese. The area was relatively isolated from the rest of Thailand by the Petchabun mountains until the beginning of the 20th century, when adirect rail link was built toNakhon Ratchasima. The region's isolation from Central Thailand and the large population of people in Isan, who were still attached to their cultural heritage, helped preserve Lao culture.[46]
Though Isan is a multi-ethnic region containing a mixture of Lao, Vietnamese, Cham, Mon, Khmer, and other Tai groups, it is majority Lao, and the Central Thais' perceived threat of Lao cultural and political dominance in the Isan region[47] resulted in variousThaification policies being enacted to finally integrate the multi-ethnic Isan people into Thailand. Since Lao dominance was seen as the greatest threat in the region, 'Lao' was removed as a category in the census, and heavy-handed policies were enacted. References to Lao people or its past were removed and the language was banned from schools and books, erasing Lao influence and impact to the country.[48]
Although the region remains mainly agricultural and poorer compared to other regions of Thailand, and many leave the region to find work in Vientiane, Bangkok or abroad, the region has enjoyed a renewed interest in traditional culture which is quite distinct although similar to Thai culture. The region is becoming increasingly more urban, and many large cities have sprung up. Due to the large population and Isan's important function as a voting bloc in elections, more attention to improving the region's infrastructure, business and education has come from the national government although poverty and regionalism are still impediments to Isan's development.[49]
In recent times, Lao popular media, including Lao music and television, has found its way back into the Isan region since Lao TV satellite signal is reachable in Isan. With the rediscovered interest in Lao pop music, Lao concerts are not only held in Laos, but also in Isan region of Thailand, thus, continually garnering new Thai fans of Lao pop music. Thailand's national channels have also broadcast Lao media throughout Thailand, as well as Thai media in Laos, resulting inTai populations located in the other regions of Thailand (northern, central, and southern) discovering a renewed kinship with the people of Laos.[citation needed]
Historically, Laotians living in other regions of Thailand, such as the capitalBangkok, have experienced massive immigration fromVientiane afterAnouvong's Rebellion (1828) during the KingRama III's reign, these Laotians have completely blended with the Thais nowadays. In the KingRama IV's reign, it was recorded that there are about one million Laotians throughout Thailand. Only in Bangkok, there are approximately 200,000 Laotians. The Lao communities in Bangkok includeBang Yi Khan andBang Sai Kai on theThonburi side as well asBang Khun Phrom on the Phra Nakhon side (Bangkok core). The Laotians who living in Bang Sai Kai still inherit some traditions or cultures from their ancestors.[50]
There are around 3.6 million Laotians in Laos, constituting approximately 68% of thepopulation (the remainder are largelyhill tribe people). The ethnic Lao of Laos form the bulk of theLao Loum ("Lowland Laotians") (Lao:ລາວລຸ່ມ, Thai: ลาวลุ่ม, IPA: laːw lum). Small Lao communities exist inThailand andCambodia, residing primarily in the former Lao territory ofStung Treng (Xieng Teng in Lao), andVietnam.[citation needed]
There are a substantial number of Lao overseas, numbering over 500,000 people. Laotian migration outside of Indochina first occurred duringFrench colonialism in Laos that started in the early 20th century. Lao students and workers came toFrance during this period, including members of theLao royal family, and some resettled there permanently.[51] However, most Lao migrants wererefugees who fled Laos after theLaotian Civil War (part of the greaterVietnam War) and from the new communistPathet Lao government. Primary places of asylum for the Lao refugees included theUnited States, France,Canada andAustralia.[52] Other countries such asFrance,Japan,Argentina, andSingapore also took in Laotian refugees.
The 2010 United States census reported over 200,000 Americans of Lao descent in the country, a figure which excludes Hmong and Mien, but may include individuals ofTai Dam,Khmu, and other descent in addition to the Lao due to confusions between national and ethnic identity. A 2012 estimate counted about 140,000 ethnic Laotians living in France, with over half of the population living inParis and the surroundingÎle-de-France area.[53]
There are approximately 20 millionLao Isaan in Thailand, residing mainly on theKhorat Plateau in northeastern Thailand and in and around Bangkok. The government of Thailand has historically discouraged theLao Isaan from identifying as or being identified asLao.[54]
The Lao language is a tonal, analytic, right-branching, pronoun pro-drop language of theTai–Kadai language family, closely related to Thai and other languages of Tai peoples. Most of the vocabulary is of native Tai origin, although important contributions have come fromPali andSanskrit as well asMon–Khmer languages. The alphabet is an indic-based alphabet. Although the Lao have five major dialects, they are all mutually intelligible and Lao people believe they all speak variations of one language.[55]
The Lao language (ພາສາລາວ) is the official language of theLao People's Democratic Republic and its official script is the Lao alphabet.[56] As the dominant language of most of theLao Loum and therefore most of the Lao population, the language is enshrined as the dominant language of education, government, and official use.[56] Numerous minority languages are spoken by roughly half the population, and include languages of theAustroasiatic,Sino-Tibetan,Austronesian andHmong–Mien language families. Although spelling is not fully uniform, despite several reforms to move the language closer to phonetical systems, it has helped stabilise the language. No official standard exists, but the dialect ofVientiane is consideredde facto official.
The boundaries of Lao dialects also extend into the North-East of Thailand, known asIsan, but the Lao spoken in Thailand as a whole can be differentiated by adoption of much Thai vocabulary andcode-switching. The language is not taught or used in schools, government, and most media outlets. Thaification policies removed the alphabet and now the language is written in the Thai alphabet, if at all, and the name changed to Isan to sever the political connection with Laos. Despite this, the Lao language is spoken by 20 million people,[57] almost a third of the population of Thailand, and is the primary language of 88% of Isan households. It continues to serve as an important regional language and a badge of Isan (hence Lao) identity, but it is experiencing a decline in the advance of Thai.[58]
Religion in Laos is highly syncretic, and has drawn from three primary sources. While most Lao people claim to beTheravada Buddhists, many traditions are derived from Animist practices.
Buddhism (ພຣະພຸດທະສາສນາ, พระพุทธศาสนา,[pʰāpʰūttʰāʔsàːtsáʔnǎː]) is the most popular religion in Laos, practised by 67% of the country, and nearly all of the ethnic Lao. The numbers may be much higher, as Buddhism has also influenced many other ethnic groups that are generally consideredanimist.[59] It is also the predominant religion ofIsan and most of the nations beyond Laos' frontiers. Of these, most are of theTherevada Sect (ເຖຣະວາດ, เถรวาท,[tʰěːrāwâːt]) although historical influences ofMahayana Buddhism remain and it is the main sect ofVietnamese andChinese minorities that have settled amongst the Lao and it has become syncretic with animistic practices.
The temple in a Lao community is the centre of community affairs, where villagers gather to discuss concerns or ask monks for their wisdom and guidance, and most men are expected to enter the monastery at some point to further their religious knowledge and make merit.
Paramount to religious living are the five Buddhistprecepts (ປັນຈະສິນ,[bantɕaʔsin], เบญจศีล,[beːntɕaʔsin]), viz., to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication. Lao cultural and behavioural traits that stem from Buddhist belief include tolerance, respect for elders and family hierarchy, selflessness, detachment to worldly good and concerns, caring for younger siblings, politeness, self-negation, and modesty. Basic beliefs includerebirth andkarma.[60]
Important holidays related to Buddhism include Boun Phra Vet (ບຸນພຣະເວດ, บุญพระเวส,[bunpʰaʔvet]),Magha Puja (ມະຄະບູຊາ, มาฆบูชา),Songkhan (ສັງຂານ, สงกรานต์),Vesak (ວິສາຂະບູຊາ, วิสาขบูชา),Vassa (ວັນເຂົ້າພັນສາ, วันเข้าพรรษา),Wan Awk Pansa (ວັນອອກພັນສາ วันออกพรรษา),Kathina, (ກະຖິນ, กฐิน). In addition to these days, the Buddhist sabbath days (ວັນພຣະ, วันพระ,[vanpʰaʔ]), during the phases of the moon, and temple fairs are also regular times to visit the temples, pray, ask advice of the monks for spiritual concerns, and donate food, money, or help out with temple chores, known in Lao astambun (ທຳບຸນ, ทำบุญ,[tʰambun]).
Laotian folk religion is the indigenous religion of most of theMon–Khmer and more recentHmong–Mien andTibeto-Burman minorities, as well as the traditional religion of the Tais before Buddhism, although some Tai tribes to this day are still folk religious. For the ethnic Lao,animism has become interwoven with Buddhism and some Hindu elements. Despite suppression at various points in time, it continues to be a large part of Lao religious tradition.
A variety of gods (ຜີ, ผี,[pʰiː]) are worshiped astutelary deities of buildings or territories, of natural places, things or phenomena; they are alsoancestral spirits and other spirits that protect people, and include malevolent spirits. Guardian deities of places, such as thephi wat (ຜີວັດ, ผีวัด) of temples and thelak mueang (ຫລັກເມືອງ, หลักเมือง,[lakmɯːaŋ]) of towns are celebrated with communal gatherings and offerings of food. Gods ofHindu derivation are included in the pantheon. Gods are ubiquitous, and some of them are connected with the universal elements: heaven, earth, fire, and water. Lao people also believe in thirty-two spirits known askhwan (ຂວັນ, ขวัญ,[kʰwan]) that protect the body, andbaci (ບາສີ,[baːsiː], บายศรี,[bɑjsiː]) ceremonies are undertaken during momentous occasions or times of anxiety to bind the spirits to the body, as their absence is believed to invite illness or harm.
Spirit houses, while common in Thailand are rare in Laos, owing to prohibitions on the worship of spirits in the reign of King Photisarath (16th century). In modern Laos, to a very limited extent the practice of spirit houses has been reimported from Thailand. Offerings of flowers,incense, and candles are given, and the spirits are consulted during changes or times of hardness for protection and assistance. Natural deities include those that reside in trees, mountains, or forests. Guardian spirits of people often include ancestors or angelic-beings who arrive at various points in life, better known asthewada. Malevolent spirits include those of people who were bad in past lives or died of tragic deaths, such as the ghastlyphi pob (ຜີປອບ, ผีปอบ) and the vampiricalphi dip (ຜີດິບ, ผีดิบ). Thephi also include the indigenous, non-Hindu gods, thephi thaen (ຜີແຖນ, ผีแถน).[61]
Mophi (mo-phiໝໍຜີ, หมอผี), "tellers", are locally trainedshamans, specialists in the rituals and in communication with their personal spirits and gods in general. Usingtrances, sacred objects imbued with supernatural power, orsaksit, possessions, and rituals likelam phi fa (ລຳຜີຟ້າ, ลำผีฟ้า,[lampʰiːfaː]) orbaci, the shaman is often consulted during times of trouble, hauntings, and illness or other misfortune that might be caused by malevolent or unhappy spirits. They are also usually present during religious festivals.[62]
Hinduism was the primary influence over much of the Khmer Empire, and examples of Hindu themes can be found on their temples from that era such asVat Phou.[63] Temples were often built over the sites of ancient Hindu shrines, and statues or motifs of Hindu gods are commonly found outside temples. Although important influences can be traced toHindu rituals, the Lao people are not as overtly influenced byHinduism as their neighbours theTai Thai.[citation needed]
The Lao have adopted and adapted theRamayana into the local version, known asPhra Lak Phra Ram (ພຣະລັກພຣະຣາມ, พระลักษมณ์พระราม,[pʰaʔlakpʰaʔlaːm]). The Lao version was interwoven with the Lao creation myth and is also, mistakenly, thought of as aJataka story so is held in high esteem.[64] Many court dances were based on the events of the story. Hinduism blended easily into both animism and Buddhism, so many Hindu gods are consideredphi thaen and Buddhist monks have incorporated much ofBrahmanic rituals. Peculiar to Lao people are reverence forNāgas, snake-like demigods that rule the waterways.[65]
According to a 2020 study, Laotians are similar to other Tai-Kadai groups in terms of exhibiting homogeneity in their genetic structure and high genetic diversity values, indicating population expansion or admixture. Northern Laotians, however, have genetic components that are related to Austroasiatic-speaking Soa peoples, who are distributed in present Thailand and Laos. Central Laotians have genetic components that are related to Austroasiatic-speaking Nyahkur and Khmer peoples from Northeastern Thailand. They are also related to Lao Isan peoples, who received genetic input from Khmer peoples (~10–50%).[66]
According to a 2022 study, Southern Laotians are closely related to Lao Isan peoples and can be distinguished from Northern and Central Laotians.[67]
Despite Austroasiatic admixture in Laotians, they are significantly closer to Tai-Kadai groups from Southern China than Austroasiatic-speaking groups from Southeast Asia, including Kinh Vietnamese.[68] There is also evidence of genetic exchange between Laotians and Kinh Vietnamese[69] and South Asian input in Lao Isan peoples.[68] Other studies, however, show strong affinities between Laotians and Mlabri peoples from Thailand, which was similarly observed for other Southeast Asians like Vietnamese, Indonesians, Thais etc. except for Burmese.[70]
The cuisine of Laos is similar to other regional cuisines such asThai andCambodian cuisines, but has several unique distinguishing traits. Lao cuisine's most famous dishes arelarb and greenPapaya salad, both originated in Laos.[71] The cuisines of the Lao in Laos and Isan have diverged only minutely, with the key differences is that Lao cuisine lacks the influences of Thai cuisine and Isan cuisine lacks many of theFrench influences in Laos. Rice is the staple, and the main variety isglutinous rice orkhao nio (ເຂົ້າຫນຽວ, ข้าวเหนียว,[kʰàwnǐw]), which is also a feature on Isan andNorthern Thai tables since both have been influenced by Lao cuisine. Although sometimes replaced by noodles or other, less popular varieties of rice, it is commonly served with an accompaniment of various dips and sauces, raw vegetables, and several dishes that are shared together. Many dishes are very spicy, fired by the numerous varieties ofchili peppers and made pungent by the strong herbs and fermented fish sauces.[72]
The tropical climate and mountainous areas gives Laos a wide variety of climates and also a rich bounty of edibles, so much of traditional Lao cuisine is composed of vegetables and herbs gathered from the wild, weeds from the rice fields, as well as vegetable plots. A rich plethora of vegetable and fruit varieties are grown, including cucumbers, gourds, cabbage, snakebeans, winged beans, yams, water spinach, mangoes, pomelos, papayas, and sugarcane. Raw vegetables often accompany a meal to help cool the tongue. The most popular meat is freshwater fish, which is also used to make two flavourings,fish sauce (ນ້ຳປາ,[nâmpaː];น้ำปลาNampla) andpadaek (ປາແດກ,[paːdèːk];ปลาร้าPla ra). Other common meats include pork, chicken, duck, beef, eggs,water buffalo. Protein intake includes a wide range of delicacies, including lizards, insects, frogs, and wild deer that also come from the forests. Common beverages are tea,coffee, and alcohol, including the native rice wine,lao lao (ເຫລົ້າລາວ, เหล้าลาว,[làuláːw]). The cuisine is noted for its use of mint and dill, relatively rare in surrounding cuisines.[73]
Laos has been generally a very rural country, and most of the people support themselves by agriculture, with rice being the most important crop.[74] As inhabitants of river valleys and lowlands that have been long-settled, ethnic Lao do not practiseswidden agriculture like upland peoples.
The traditional folk music islam lao (ລຳລາວ, ลำลาว,[lámláːw]), although it is also known asmorlam (Lao:ໝໍລຳ, หมอลำ,[mɔ̌ːlám]) which is the preferred term inIsan language. Artists fromThailand are also popular in Laos and vice versa, which has re-enforced Lao culture in Isan despite heavyThaification. The music is noted for the use of thekhene (Lao:ແຄນ, Isan: แคน,[kʰɛːn]) instrument.[75]
....formation of the Kingdom of Siam properly so called.
| Lao-Tai | |
|---|---|
| Vietic | |
| Khmeric | |
| Katuic | |
| Bahnaric | |
| Khmu-Palaungic | |
| Hmong–Mien | |
| Tibeto-Burman | |
| Austronesian | |
| Other | |
| General grouping |
|
