Laos Simply Beautiful - mrooms guide PDF

Preview

Summary

mrooms guide...

Description

Laos Simply Beautiful Laos, known as the “Land of a Million Elephants,” is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. The elephant symbolizes the ancient kingdom of Lan Xang, and is sacred to the Lao people, who believe it will bring prosperity to their country. Laos cherishes many of the traditions that have disappeared in a frenzy of development elsewhere in the region. It's hard to believe somnolent Vientiane is an Asian capital, and there's a timeless quality to rural life, where stilt houses and paddy fields look like they are straight out of a movie set. Magical Luang Prabang bears witness to hundreds of saffronrobed monks gliding through the streets every morning in a call to arms, one of the region’s iconic images. Intrepid travelers will discover a country untainted by mass tourism and Asia in slow motion. Official Name: Lao People's Democratic Republic Capital City: Vientiane Government: Communist State Current Head/s of State: Thongloun Sisoulith (President); Phankham Viphavanh (Prime Minister) Population: 7.169 million (World Bank, 2019) Official Language/s: Lao Currency: Lao Kip (LAK) Currency Symbol: ₭

MAP OF LAOS Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia on the Indochinese peninsula between Thailand and Vietnam, and north of Cambodia. Laos shares also short borders with China and Myanmar (Burma) PEOPLE OF LAOS Laos is an ethnically and linguistically diverse country. The official language of Laos is Lao, although various foreign languages have often been used by the elite. French was once the language of the Lao upper classes and of the cities, but by the 1970s English had begun to

displace it. Under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, Vietnamese became the third language of the elite. Before the Indochina wars, sources commonly identified more than 60 different population groups; after the wars, which displaced (or killed) a large segment of the population, that number had been significantly reduced, with some communities amounting to only a few hundred persons. By the late 20th century the various peoples of Laos were officially grouped primarily by language and location into one of three categories: Lao Loum (“Lowland Lao”), Lao Theung (“Lao of the Mountain Slopes”), and Lao Soung(“Lao of the Mountaintops”). The main group making up over 60% of Laotian population can also be called Laos Loum, the Lowland Laos or Laos Thais. The name “Lowland Laos” refers to the fact that, Lao Loum usually lives near rivers: maybe in the river’s bank or along Mekong Riverside. Lao Loum is also the one who has the most similar characteristic of Thais People. Lao Loum’s Language is extremely similar to Thais’ language, even in writing and speaking The second major group accounting for over 25 percent of Laotian population, Lao Theung is from the Austrao-Asiatic origin. According to the history, Lao Theung came from the Southern part of Asia, moved toward Northern Laos, and ended up there staying in Laos. Lao Theung literally means Midland Laos, which also describe their living area: mainly in multilevel slopes and mountains along Mekong River, totally different from Lao Loum who lives along Mekong River’s banks. LAO SOUNG This group only accounts for around 10 percent of Laotian population and their living area is also very special. Lao Soung or Upland Laos usually inhabits in the upper basin of Mekong River in the northwest, in the highest mountainous area (over 1000 meters). The first Lao Soung has immigrated from the North, Southern China in the last two centuries. Therefore, the main language if Lao Soung is sharing some similar characteristics with Chinese or Tibetan Burmese RELIGION OF LAOS The predominant religion of Laos is Theravada Buddhism. Buddhism was the state religion of the pro-republic kingdom of Laos, and the organization of the community of monks and novices, the clergy

(sangha), paralleled the political hierarchy. Buddhists largely lowland Lao account for about half the country’s people. Some two-fifths of the population, primarily the Lao Theung and Lao Soung groups, follow non-Buddhist local religions. Buddhism and local religion are not necessarily mutually exclusive, however; there is both a syncretic practice of and a general tolerance for local religious traditions within the broader Buddhist community. Laos traditional costumes are “sinh” and “salong”, the pieces of clothing that showcase the extraordinary weaving skill of Lao people and the country’s precious traditional values. Sinh – Laos National Costume for Female Salong – Laos National Costume for Mal LUANG PRABANG The ancient town of Luang Prabang in the center of northern Laos has been described as one of the most charming and best-preserved towns in Southeast Asia. There are 34 Buddhist temples among Luang Prabang's colonial and Chinese architectures, all set in a backdrop of lush green mountains. Due to its outstanding cultural and natural features, the town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Literally meaning "Royal Buddha Image" WAT PHU (meaning ‘mountain temple’), is situated on a hillside and offers stunning views over the surrounding land and Mekong River. Visitors who appreciate art and history will be amazed by the magnificent workmanship in this ruined Khmer temple complex in the form of temple pillars, barays, lintels, pediments, terrace, courtyard, walls, doorways, sanctuary, shrine, library and palaces. There is also a natural spring that is believed by locals to emit holy water. Older than the great temple complex at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Wat Phu was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002. Wat Phu is considered one of the oldest archaeological sites in Laos KUANG SI WATERFALL The biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream

ELEPHANT VILLAGE Established in 2001, Elephant Village is an elephant sanctuary and tourist destination in Luang Prabang, Laos. Elephant Village ensures the support and the survival of elephants living in harmony with nature and the community. They are kept away from abusive work and cared by professional veterinarians. Elephant village ensures the preservation of a pristine river valley that otherwise would be destroyed by signing a multi-year lease agreement with the Lao government to establish a sustainable tourism project. LAOS CUISINE LAAB National dish Laab translates as luck or good fortune, although you can find variations in Northern Thailand, it originates here in Laos. Laab consists of chopped meat mixed with shallots, roasted rice, lime juice, fish sauce, mint, coriander, and chili. Laab is essentially a meat salad – pork, chicken or beef and is served at room temperature. Laab Moo = Pork Laab Laab Neua = Beef Laab Laab Gai = chicken Laab Laab Pa = Fish Laab (you may also find the fish species in the name) STICKY RICE Like many Asian countries, rice is a staple food in Laos but instead of regular rice, the people of Laos prefer glutinous rice or sticky rice. This rice variant is known for its sticky texture once it is cooked (usually by steaming). The Lao people eat sticky rice with their hands during every meal. PHAA SIN a wraparound skirt worn with the silver belt is the traditional dress of Lao women. From school and university students to government office workers tend to wear the wraparound skirt, that’s the reason why Phaa sin and their belts make popular souvenirs and nowadays are widely available in most markets and small shops around the country (especially in the Morning Market of Vientiane). They are all carefully

originated using techniques that have been honed and developed in the country since the 14thcentur COFFEE Laos produces Robusta coffee at high altitudes (1300 m.a.s.l.) Coffee is Laos' fifth largest export product. The Bolaven Plateau, where coffee was first planted in Laos during the French colonial times, is the primary region of production for Laos. Several species were planted including Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica FESTIVALS ELEPHANT FESTIVAL The Elephant Festival is celebrated specifically in Xayabouly Province and is held to demonstrate culture and traditional ties between Lao communities and elephants, as well as drawing attention to the endangered status of this charismatic species PI MAI / SONGKRAN This festival is officially three days long, but it usually lasts a full week and includes huge water fights, where people get doused with water and flour in the streets by strangers. Carry an umbrella and join in the fun. Parades in cities, especially Luang Prabang and Vientiane (to a lesser extent), have people dressed in traditional masks retelling the history and folklore of Laos and Buddhism. Temples and homes are cleaned for the New Year, and the faithful make offerings. Beauty pageants, ceremonies and traditional music and dance round out the festivities. BOUN BUNG FAI The date of Boun Bung Fai, or the Lao Rocket Festival varies by region and sometimes by village. Festivals take place in May, June and July. Villagers ask the spirits to end the hot season and bring on the rains by launching homemade rockets. Winners are those whose rockets fly highest and burn brightest. Losers are thrown in the mud. Spectators watch the show, hear the judges remarks and eat and drink....