Boys in the traditional dress of the Lao Theung people of Laos
Lao Culture

Lao Theung people of Laos

The Lao Theung are the second largest ethnic group in Laos, comprising around 25% of the country’s population. They are also generally considered the poorest of the three ethnic groupings in Laos. About the Lao Theung [Read more…]

In Laos spirits are called 'phi'
Lao Culture

Spirit worship in Laos

Around 66% of people in Laos practice Theravada Buddhism, however, that has not displaced the much older tradition of spirit worship in Laos, and also in North Eastern Thailand which shares a similar language and [Read more…]

Akha woman in traditional dress
Lao Culture

Akha people of Laos

The Akha people are the 9th largest ethnic group in Laos with an estimated population of just over 110,000 although the accuracy of this estimate is doubtful as the often semi-nomadic Akha people mostly live [Read more…]

Hmong people of Laos
Lao Culture

Hmong people of Laos

The Hmong people are the third largest ethnic group in Laos. Estimates of the number of Hmong people living in Laos range from 450,000 to 600,000. The largest ethnic group, and the economically and politically [Read more…]

Sai Bat in the morning alms giving ceremony in Laos
Lao Culture

Alms giving ceremony in Laos

The giving of alms to monks is a part of daily life which is closely associated with Laos culture and it has a special significance not always understood by non-Buddhists. Alms Giving Tradition in Buddhism In [Read more…]

Buddhist monks in Laos
Lao Culture

Everyday life in Laos

Laos is a country of contrasts. Contrasts between town life and rural life. Contrasts between ethnic groups and people of different religions. Most people in Laos work in agriculture and there life is in small [Read more…]

The Hmong people are the third largest ethnic group in Laos
Lao Culture

Ethnic Groups in Laos

Depending on the system of classification you use, between 49 and 160 different ethnic groups live in Laos, with 82 distinct languages. The concept of ethnicity is difficult to pin down and there is an [Read more…]