Laos Culture Facts: Regions and Culture Review
Despite its lowest population densities in Southeast Asia, Laos culture has a lot of things to explore. Let’s discover 5 Laos culture facts for more.
With its sophisticated and outstanding historical attractions, Laos culture and tradition are things to explore. This Southeast Asian country showcases Laos culture facts: religion, arts, and unique Laos traditions. To get information on Laos culture facts are? travelers should have a basic understanding of Laos traditions below.
Laos’ short introductions: what to explore
Among different Southeast Asian nations, Laos has the lowest population density, seven million. The population here shows a difference, compared to neighboring countries like Vietnam and Thailand.
Although it has the lowest population, Laos culture facts will demonstrate a diverse and sophisticated Laos culture and tradition. Laos religion and culture include about 68 tribal and indigenous groups. Additionally, the population has three groups: the Lao Loum, the Lao Theung, and the Lao Sung.
Among them, Lao Loum accounts for half of the whole population. Most of them live along the Mekong River. Meanwhile, the two other indigenous communities live on some slopes and mountainous areas.
According to experts from a tourism company, the official religion here is Buddhism. Therefore, the Laos religion and culture will affect their Laotian culture and lifestyles. In this article, you will get more information about Laos religion, culture, tradition, and other Laos culture facts.
Laos religion and culture:
The official language
The official language in Laos is Lao. However, only about 70% of the Laos population speaks Laos natively. Laos culture facts show that Lao people in Thailand are large compared to people in Laos. It is an interesting Laos culture fact that you might not know.
Laos people live in rural and remote places. Besides, they speak some ethnic minority languages such as Khmu and Hmong. Moreover, there is another Laos culture fact that you want to know. People in Laos also speak French in government and commerce. More interestingly, French is a compulsory subject in schools in Laos.
Religion in Laos tradition
An international travel agency states that Buddhism is the major religion in Laos, which appeared about 2000 years ago. Nowadays, about 60% of Laos people follow Theravada Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism is a common form of Buddhism, which is opposite to Mahayana Buddhism. Besides, this Laos culture fact shows that religion has rooted in Laos' society. Therefore, the government often uses many religious teachings to go with politics.
Laos people use the Buddhist calendar. Thus, they will organize most rituals and ceremonies in Laos based on this calendar. More interestingly, the New Year Festival, Pi Mai in Laos, is different from other Laos celebrations.
In addition, Buddhism also influenced the society of Laos people in their ways of thinking. Besides, Laos culture facts show that Laos has a low rate of stealing. Moreover, when it comes to money and various properties, Laos people value the trustworthy. Furthermore, there is another Laos culture fact that might surprise you. The divorce rate in Laos is low compared to other countries.
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Laos culture and tradition
Traditional costumes in Laos
Laos costumes will depend on the gender and age of Laos people. In detail, Laos women will dress up properly. Therefore, the women in Laos must put on their clothes in ceremonial phaa sin. It is a long, patterned textile skirt. Women in Laos wear scarves and coiled hairstyles when they take part in special events.
Meanwhile, men in Laos dress up in salong, which are long pants to participate in events. These days, men wear Western-style. Besides, they only put on the phaa biang on special occasions. Furthermore, their hair will be coiled down to their back and earrings. Laos culture facts show that men and women in Laos do not use any decorative jewelry. It is essential to dress and behave respectfully.
Social rules in Laos
Laos culture facts present that there are some social rules that you need to follow on the holiday. Laos people meet others with a prayer-like gesture, called a nop. Besides, youngsters or a person of lower hierarchy nop the elder and social superiors.
Additionally, Buddhism also impacts social rules in Laos. It means that the head is the highest part of the body and the feet are the lowest. Touching Laos’ head or pointing with toes is rude. Besides, travelers take off their shoes before entering temples and other homes.
Laos family culture
According to Laos culture facts, the family is a component of Laos. Besides, it is the foundation of social life. Laos people tend to have large and close-knit families with about five children.
Additionally, three generations will live together in the same house. The household structure is more widespread in remote areas than in urban places where couples have fewer children. Extended families will share their resources.
Older children in the Laos family culture will assist the household. Moreover, they will take care of younger children and support family members with daily tasks.
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Laos arts and culture
Factors impacting Laos arts and music
Another Laos culture fact that you might not know is Laos art and culture. The government requires films and music recordings in a governmental studio. Besides, the Ministry of Information and Culture tried to limit the influence of Thai culture on music and other kinds of entertainment.
Additionally, Laos has 49 ethnic groups. Besides, each of them preserves its dialect, custom, culture, and Laos traditions. The rich Laos culture and traditions are rooted in spirituality since Theravada Buddhism has influences extending from lifestyles to Laos art and culture.
Laos' religion and art are also distinctive, which sets Laos apart from other countries. For instance, the calling for rain posture of Buddha depicts the Buddha standing with his hands and fingers pointing to the ground. You will not see any Southeast Asian Buddhist art traditions in any country.
Besides, there is another Laos culture fact in art and cultural aspect. Projects preserve classic Lao religious scripts. They are palm-leaf manuscripts from hundreds of years ago.
Next Laos culture fact is Laos' folk music, which is popular with Laos people throughout the country. The musical instrument is the Khaen, a wind instrument, which includes a double row of bamboo-like reeds in a hardwood sound box.
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Laos traditional arts: classical arts vs folk arts
Experts from a tourism company state: two forms of Laos culture art. Classical arts get inspiration from other religions: Hindu, Buddhism, and conventional Laos royals. The other Laos traditional art is its folk art with Laos hill tribes. The form of Laos culture art is the folk arts. Besides, folk songs and dances are strongly related to festivals.
Additionally, Laos folk dances showcase the joys of life and working life that have existed for thousands of years. The national dance of Laos culture arts is the lam vong, a slow revolving circle dance. In folk dance, men will be on the outside, but the women are on the inside.
The bottom line
With its sophisticated and unique Laos culture and traditions, Laos people feel so proud of their cultural aspects. Besides, it is an opportunity for travelers to visit Laos. They can have a chance to explore and immerse themselves in a unique culture in a Southeast Asian country. Also, travelers can get more information about regions and culture reviews in such a beautiful country. If you are planning to visit a country in Southeast Asia, contact us, the leading international travel agency in Vietnam.
