~ APR 29 2002

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Lao-ness And Young People
From: K, USA
- I know Lao tradition is important to the elders but what about the younger Lao people?

Reply:

Young Lao people still have "Lao-ness" or culture that has been passed on to them, even second and third generations who are living abroad. However most Lao people living abroad are not constrained by the same cultural situation in Laos, so young Lao people such as those you may know are probably not as traditional as the elders. But this is not to say that they do not respect or remember Lao culture. They simply may have different views and beliefs as they also growing up in 'American culture'.

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Lao Food
From: (several e-mailers)
- I'm interested in learning more about Lao foods.

Reply:

Lao food is generally very healthy. It's similar but not identical to Thai, Viet or Chinese cooking. For comprehensive recipes I always recommend the following (very helpful) books:

• "Traditional Recipes of Laos" by Phia Sing
• "Taste of Laos: Lao/Thai Recipes from Dara Restaurant" by Daovone Xayavong

Reply:

This piece combines two key questions asked by several e-mailers regarding Lao adoptions.

Unfortunately there have been no updates and to our knowledge Lao adoption by foreigners are still banned. Moreover we have not been able to find a source of information that could supply more comprehensive data or even statistics about external or internal, formal or informal adoptions.

Regarding the adoption process: Inside Laos the adoption process is a lot more blurred. For example it is very common, even to this day, to see children who are otherwise normal or in some cases mentally/physically handicapped to be living with those other than their biological parents without any formal process. Of course in most instances there is no legal paper indicating specifically the transfer of guardianship or adoption. Remember the old adage that goes something like: "a village helps to raise the children, its future generation"? Well this is very much the case in Laos.

I've seen instances, in the past and today, whereby children who were raised by others in the community who come to call that individual father or mother. Neighbors or friends whose families become so close that they become not only close friends but like family. Or children who are not biologically related come to call each other brother and sister because nonetheless they were raised together and/or by the same adult.

Essentially in Laos if there is a child who needs a home there is always a family ready to take them in. And in most cases this is done informally although there are more formal instances - but that would be rare.

[Update, 2005, refer to LCW Advice Column 05/06/17]