On
this issue that many Laotian girls face, the answer is communication.
Many families, Lao ones included, sometimes have a problem with
communication and when things like traditional procedures arise,
heated situations are bound to occur. If you're like many Lao individuals
who are still only 2nd generation Laotian living abroad, then there
is no question that your parents will be over protective and very
traditional. They see the country you're in as foreign and often
hostile, racist and negative and since you're a girl they worry
about someone taking advantage of you, etc. Their concerns are legitimate
but they are sometimes out of control.
Speak to them
and make them understand your position. Work towards making them
more trustful of you, your friends or boyfriend and of the world
around them (that last one is difficult). Make sure they know where
you are and give them your number of where you'll be. The more you
do to help them feel more secure will ensure more freedom for yourself
and then they'll get used to you going out more.
And never forget
why they are so protective of you - because they love you.
In Laos, like
over all of Asia, use of home remedies and alternative medicine
is widespread. Alternative medicine and remedies are medicines or
relief that is basically acquired by natural means, ie. taking an
aloe leaf, cutting it open and using it to treat burns, etc.
Some home remedies
that I've heard about, that Lao people used to use (and perhaps
still do) are:
Burns: there's
a plant that I'm not sure about the official name but in Laos they
often simply refer to it as "T'hon fi-mai" that would be used on
burns.
Shampoo: another
plant called "Mak keehut" used to be used as a shampoo. But the
leaves "T'hon keehut" would be used in soups.
Toothpaste:
"puak mak" is also another plant that is/was used in Laos for cleansing
your teeth.
Skin cleanser:
"T'hon ta-kuang" again another plant. This would be used to clean
dirty skin and clean out those pores and most importantly "kee-kai"
or dead skin.
Pain killer:
In the northern areas of Laos, the tribal/ethnic groups still continue
to grow and smoke opium. Opium, while highly addictive, is used
in their medicine such as helping to get rid of pain or even an
upset stomach.
Of course this
is just a sampling of natural medicine used in Laos. There are more
I'm sure.
