Adoptions From Laos
From: US
- Do you have any info. on adopting Lao nationals?
Reply:
We were able to track down a webpage pertaining to exactly your interest. It includes the most recent update from your US government website (the US State Dept.) at:
http://travel.state.gov/vietnamlaos_statement.html
Which states the following, regarding international adoption from Laos:
On 12 December 1994, the Ministry of Justice of the Lao People's Democratic Republic informed the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane that the Lao Government had completly suspended authorizing adoptions of Lao children by foreign citizens. That suspensions is still in force. It is thus not possible for U.S. citizens or other foreigners to adopt a Lao child living in Laos.
[Update, 2005, refer to LCW Advice Column 05/06/17]
Lao Wedding With No Buddhist Aspects?
From: US
- My husband and I are devout Christians. Both of us would like a Lao wedding but without the Buddhist aspects.
Will this be possible?
Reply:
Lao weddings comprise mainly of 'Lao culture and traditions' and not so much Buddhist aspects. There are so many different factors of a Lao wedding that are too numerous to go through here. Therefore to answer your question: I don't believe there are any major factors in the Lao wedding that are Buddhist that should be taken out. The only parts that you probably want removed are the blessings done by the Buddhist monk(s).
I'm assuming you have Lao family, relatives and friends who are well versed in the traditional protocols for Lao weddings. So be sure to go along with what they suggest to you. They will have suggestions for you on what to wear, what to do before/during/after the wedding and what proper Lao decorations to use and so fourth.
If you make it a point to take into account the many aspects of a Lao wedding you will be very glad with the final results. Lao weddings are beautiful and full of jolly. The clothing worn by both the bride and groom are equally awe inspiring. I'm sure your friends and family on both your husband's side and your own will be very impressed.
One last note: You have to realize that Lao culture in general has Buddhism as an almost integral part as well. So if you want to 'honor your [Lao] father' it may not be such a bad idea to include the Buddhist aspects of the Lao wedding as well - it'll give him memories of Laos and how they do things there and it'll show that you still respect your roots. If you have read through our site, you will have learnt that, among others, Lao language, architecture, music, literature, etc. have all been influenced by Buddhism. Lao culture and people would not be who/what they are today if it wasn't for this religon. So even though you are Christian (as some Lao people are) it doesn't hurt to learn more and include Buddhist aspects in your life (or your wedding).
Lao Instruments
From: Canada
- Other than the Khene are there any other Lao instruments you can tell me about? Unfortunately there is not a lot of info. I could find.
Reply:
You asked, we answer:
Wind instruments: the Khuy and Khaen (Khene)
Stringed instruments: the So I and the So O
Percussion instruments: Nang-Nat (Rang-Nat) and the Khong-Vong
The Khene can create several notes simultaneously. It is made of several bamboo pipes of vary lengths. The pipes are arranged in a decreasing sizeand are connected by two half gourds held in position by wax - this forms the cavity for the air and aperture for the mouthpiece. An interesting note is that the Khene is the fore-father to other wind instruments later found in Europe. How? Because the Chinese borrowed the idea of the Khene from Laos. The Chinese later came into contact with Europeans. By the 1800s the Europeans, with the idea from Asia, created instruments such as the harmonica, accordian, and others. And to think: From Laos the Khene is the mother of wind instruments in China and Europe.
The Khuy is a bamboo flute. It is similar to other Western flutes. It creates wonderfully seemless sounds. The So instruments are two stringed violins with a long neck of carved wood and a sound-box. The Rang-Nat is a xylophone type instrument. It's keys are made with vary thickness and lengths to create different sounds. They are arranged in a circular fashion. Lastly the Kong-Vong is made of sixteen cymbals that are also arranged in a circular fashion. Sounds are created by striking the keys with mallets.
