We've now
included this information in the updated National
Symbols page of LCW.
The Lao emblem
contains several images. If you look really close you can actually
see writing on the bottom and at the sides. All text written in
Lao: It has some words written to the left and right. However the
most important features included are at the bottom where it reads
Sathalanalat Pasathipatai Pasason Lao which is the official
name of the country - Lao People's Democratic Republic. Additionally
you can see that the two curves at the right and left are actually
rice stalks which of course reflects Laos' main agricultural item
and primary staple food. Furthermore, there is the forever-present
That Luang image in between the two stalks. The That Luang,
a religious Buddhist temple, is often described as Laos' unofficial
national symbol.
The emblem has
been adjusted about two or three times since its creation back in
the 1970s, as far as I know. These changes were usually in the text
or words and images included on the emblem. For example they removed
the word 'socialism' and the communist symbols, hammer and sickle.
This emblem
is also used on the embassy seal. However in these cases it has
been observed without the text appearing on the left and right sides.
This particular
individual posed several questions which will be shown here on the
Column in pieces. Here is this week's. For his other questions that
he posed head to previous week's Column in the archives.
A Lao woman
can choose whoever she wishes to marry. There are of course the
occassional set-ups or arranged marriages but I would say this is
rare because ultimately the decision is of the man and woman involved.
If a Lao woman
marries outside of her own, the reaction among Lao people varies
from person to person. Some don't mind it while others do. Can't
generalize on that.
Also you should
know that Lao people are generally very tolerant of people of different
ethnicities and sexualities. Laos itself is very diverse and the
people have a rather open mind when it comes to other cultures and
ethnicities. There are many people from different countries living
in Laos.
