ed several principalities. In 1353, King Fa Ngoun of Luang Prabang, managed to unite the principalities along the Mekong River into the new kingdom of Lan Xang and introduced Theravada Buddhism as the state religion. In 1893, August Pavie, a French explore

marry. If the children are not old enough yet to help in the fields, a widow or widower will generally remarry faster. Religion The official religion of Laos is Theravada Buddhism. Buddhism stresses the ultimate goal of nirvana, a state in which desire and individual consciousness are extinguished. The ordinary believer is thought remote from achieving this state and can only hope to be reincarnated into a form that may bring them closer to the possibility of nirvana. Laotian males expect to spend a portion of their life as a monk, but most people do not become a nun or monk for life. Buddhist holidays mark important events of the agricultural cycle as well as the human cycle of birth, marriage, child rearing, and death. Most holidays tend to last for several days and nights. One of Phone's favorite festivals is Baci. It is a ceremony of prayers and wishes and is performed for a variety of reasons. Pastries, broiled eggs, cookies, liquors, bananas, and money are placed in the !

Phone Virachak is 37 years old and is a naturalized citizen who emigrated from Laos to the United States in1985. She came with her husband to America and their two children were born here. They came to the United States to escape the wars that have plagued Laos for centuries. Phone works as a housekeeper in a nursing home and her husband is a car salesman. She has made many friends in her new country and is

and young girls are taught the art from an early age. The Artistic and intellectual expression of the Laotian people has been shaped by Chinese, Indian, Khmer, Thai, Burmese, and French cultures. One of the biggest influences has been Theravada Buddhism and the primary function of all art is to demonstrate reverence for Buddhism. Laotian music is an important part of religious ceremonies. The Laotians have no system for musical notation, so music is taught through listening and the musician must memorize all music. There are two different types of orchestras in Laos. There is the Seb Noi orchestra which contains the khene (a bamboo instrument with sound similar to the accordion), the so (a two stringed viol instrument), the nany net and the khong vong (an instrument with 16 cymbals arranged on a semicircular frame). This orchestra is accompanied by choral or solo vocal music. The Seb Gnui orchestra is strictly for royal or religious processions and has no khene or stringed ins!

rriages have traditionally been arranged, but now most couples usually have made their own choice. A bride price is negotiated, which is used to pay for the wedding. The wedding takes place at the home of the bride's family. The groom then helps with the farming in the bride's family for several years. The married couple may then decide to establish their own household. The youngest daughter and her husband often live and take care of the bride's parents and will inherit the house as a result. If a couple encounters domesticate problems, the two families usually address the problem first. The village elders may join the attempt to resolve the conflict as well. However, divorce may occur and may be initiated by either party. After a divorce, both husband and wife may return to their families. The children may remain with either parent. In case of a spouse's death, the widow or widower may return to their natal household, but more commonly maintain an independent household or re!

r and statesman, gained the confidence of the Laotian rulers and persuaded them to accept French rule. In August 1945, Prince Petsarath, the Laoti

Some common words found in the essay are:
Social Relationships, Lao Loum, Buddhism Buddhism, Economy Laos, Sin Xay, Laos United, Laos America, Laotians Americans, Seb Gnui, Croissants French, mekong river, theravada buddhism, lao loum, united escape wars, escape wars plagued, wars plagued laos, woven bamboo, lao language, rice laotians, ethnic majority, widow widower, salesman friends, plagued laos centuries, laos centuries phone, husband car,
Approximate Word count = 2364
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)