LAOS

• POPULATION

  The Republic of Laos has approximately 6.5 million citizens, who are often divided according to altitude into lowland, Midland, and upland Laotians
• The largest ethnic group is the Lao, who live mainly in the lowlands and make up approximately 60% of the population
• Lao


  The official language of Laos, a tonal language from the Tai language group that also includes Thai and the Shan language of Burma
• Predominant religions in Laos

  • Theravada Buddhism (67%)
  • Animism (30%)
• Awesome words in Lao

  • Saibaidee (Hello)
  • Khop Jai (Thank you)
  • Khop jai lai lai (Thank you very much)
  • Doi or Men (Yes/Agree)
  • Baw (No)
  • Khaw Toot (Excuse me)
  • Khoy Baw Khao Jai (I don't understand)
  • La Gon (Goodbye)
  • Sok Dee! (Good luck!)
• Dara Kanlagna


  A Lao National Artist who has authored some sixty short stories, ninety poems, seven novels, and a screenplay for a popular feature film entitled Boua Deng which was screened at the International Festival of Cinemas of Asia in 1988
• After her retirement in 2001 she continued to write, focusing on issues which occur in society. Her themes include the role of women in society and education, the struggles and obstacles that Lao women face, and inequalities which are often a result of ancient traditions and poverty
• The poem "The Bewail of a Mother" uses figures of speech such as climax and hyperbole
• The Mosquito


  A tale in Laos that summarizes the story of a poor farmer named Ngoe Tam, his wife Nhan Deep, and how she was brought back to life by the genii of medicine but then left Ngoe Tam to live a life of luxury with a rich merchant
• The message of The Mosquito is that even if how much we prepare for our destiny, fate would always follow