FREE ESSAY ON ANTHROPOLOGY RESEARCH

ANTHROPOLOGY RESEARCH

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 affectionately called "Joy"
by her friends. She earned this nickname because of her happy disposition and her bright
humor. She has faced many challenges in her new life in the United States. Through
correspondence, she is still in touch with her parents and thirteen brothers and sisters
in Laos, but she is sure she will never see them again. Phone loves America, but says
that she still loves her home country and its customs.
Historical Overview
Long before the French claimed Laos as a colony, other powers had struggled for control
of the country. By 1300, the Lao had founded 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 explorer and statesman, gained the confidence of the
Laotian rulers and persuaded them to accept French rule. In August 1945, Prince
Petsarath, the Laotian premier, declared the independence of Laos. This action revived
the rivalry for power and once again, the country was encompassed in war. The fight was
mainly between Lao nationalists and communists. With the aid of foreign powers, mainly
the Soviet Union and Vietnam, the communists took control in 1975. In the mid-eighties
the government began to reverse course, ensuring a free market and property rights. By
the nineties nationalism appeared to be replacing Marxism. The political structure,
however, remains unchanged and the people still have no power in the government (P. Poole
152-53).
Language and Ethnic Groups
The official language of Laos is Lao the language of the ethnic majority. All of the
dialects of the Lao language are members of the Thai family. In fact, Lao is so close to
the standard Thai of Thailand that native speakers cannot tell the difference between the
two languages. Standard Lao is also used among other ethnic groups in different parts of
Laos, though many prefer to use their own dialects. Educated Laotians also speak French
and English. 
The Lao Loum are the ethnic majority in Laos and speak Lao. The members of this ethnic
group generally reside in the Mekong River valley or along lower tributaries. Phone is a
member of this ethnic group having resided in the village of... The Lao Theung and the
Lao Sung are two other main ethnic groups in Laos, but we will concentrate on the Lao
Loum.
Material Culture 
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. The vital Mekong River forms most of the
countries western boundary with Thailand. Laos is also bordered by China and Myanmar in
the north, Vietnam in the east, and Cambodia in the south. The climate of Laos is
monsoonal and there are three distinct seasons: the cool dry season, the hot dry season
and the wet season.
The Economy of Laos is based mainly upon subsistence farming. Only about 8 percent of the
land is available for farming, while 47 percent is forest and 32 percent is wasteland
(Poole, P. 747). Rice is the principal crop and is grown either by the wet-rice method or
by swidden farming depending on the location. The lowland areas, where Phone lived,
cultivate mainly by wet-rice cultivation. Forestry is also of economic importance, but
mining and manufacturing are limited. Barter is still the prevalent method of exchange in
rural Laotian commerce.
The main staple food of Laos is rice. Laotians prefer glutinous or sticky rice to white
rice and it is eaten at all meals. Besides rice, Laotians eat vegetables, dried fish,
soups, and a variety of sauces. Phone said that Laotian foods are often very spicy,
because they contain a hot chilly pepper called Maak Phet. She said that she misses the
dishes of her native country and said that American food is too greasy and bland. She
also stated that Laotian food is very similar to most Chinese and Thai foods. Croissants
and French bread are very popular breakfast foods, indicating a French influence upon the
country. For snacks Phone said that most people eat Phoe (a rice noodle soup), fresh or
fried spring rolls, grilled chicken, or barbeque pork meatballs.
Phone said that the people of her ethnic group, the Lao Loum, live in small, but stable
villages near rivers or streams. Commonly in these villages will contain 40 to 50 houses
and 200 to 300 people. If the farmland becomes scarce, it is not uncommon for a family to
relocate to another village. The houses are built on wooden piles with the floor from one
to two and a half meters above the ground. This provides a shady place in the hot son and
during the rainy season it keeps mud out of the house. The walls may be made of woven
bamboo or sawn wood and the roof may be from grass thatch, bamboo, wood shingles or
corrugated steel roof sheeting. They are small, with only one room. This room is divided
into one or two sleeping areas, a common area for visiting and eating and a separate
kitchen area. Household furnishings are simple: Mats and mattresses for sleeping on the
floor, a low, woven bamboo table for eating, and a few pots or dishes for cooking.
Phone said that everyday clothing in Laos is simple and cool. Women wear long skirts and
shirts that are of light colors. Men wear pants and short shirts as well. Ceremonial
clothing, on the other hand, is far from plain. Weaving is outstanding and a family is
judged on how well the women can weave. Scarves, skirts, and dresses are often woven of
cotton or silk with gold or silver threads creating a design. Weaving is strictly a
feminine occupation 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 instruments. Phone also stated that
the piano has become very popular, but only the rich play.
Drama consists of lengthy plays that are epics, religious stories, tales of war or
romance, and ancient legends. Laotian drama has strong Cambodian as well as Siamese and
Indian influences. Plays often interpret works from Vedas, the Ramayana, and the
Mahabarate. Phone stated that only men perform in dramatic works and that talent is
passed from father to son. The costumes are very elaborate and gorgeous and lacquered
masks are used. The Laotians also use Shadow plays demonstrating a Chinese and Japanese
influence as well.
Dance in Laos is very formal. Professional dancers, again all male, perform for the
people. They travel in troupes and perform at various festivals. These dances celebrate
the spirit world and the cycle of life. The court ballet that is performed is derived
form the Indian epic Ramayana.
Laotian literature is usually presented orally, but is preserved in written form. There
are many variations of different stories, since a performer may change it according to
inspiration. Courtship, Phones said, is an excellent opportunity to excel at recitation.
At festivals courts of love are set up. In these courts, sex segregated rows of young
people exchange poetry and song to demonstrate interest and affection for one another.
The Sin Xay is considered the greatest Laotian poem. It is fifteen chapters long and is
known for its philosophical as well as literary excellence. Songs are usually poetic
stories about heroes and love. But, most stories are religious and instructive as well as
entertaining.
Laotian sculptures are made of stone, bronze, brick or wood. They are often figures of
the Buddha walking or standing. Skills are passed from on generation to the next and
objects made by an ancestor are left to disintegrate without regret. Many objects are
made for household use. Wood and ivory carving, tattooing, silversmithing and
goldsmithing are all considered crafts and are not professions.
Phone said that sports are mainly played for fun. There are no professional sports, but
one can gain prestige from winning an event. These people are shown respect by fellow
members of the community. Phone said that swimming and running are the most popular
sports in Laos.
Social Relationships
The family is very important to the Laotian people. The family structure is typically
nuclear. Married couples try to stay close to their parents and when aged parents die,
children divide lands and other valuables. Women and men both work in the fields. Tasks
are divided according to gender, but are not rigid. Women typically cook, clean, carry
water, and take care of the children. Men generally take care of livestock and are
responsible for purchasing mechanical items. Husband and wife often make household
decisions together, but the husband is the family representative in village meetings.
Both sexes plant, harvest, thresh and carry rice.
Marriages 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 remarry. 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 middle of the table as an offering
to the spirits. A priest lights candles and then everyone joins hands in prayer. After
the prayer food and drinks are served and a party begins. 
Similarities and Differences
There are a lot of differences between Laos and America. Most people in Laos do not
attend school and if they do it is usually not past third grade. Complaints are avoided
and the people feel that nothing can be done to alter the ways things are. Open
disagreement or shows of anger are considered disrespectful. New Year's is typically
celebrated on April 13th at the beginning of the Buddhist year. There are some
similarities like the love of family and of fun. Laotians and Americans both love food
and parties. We both like stories and try to get as much entertainment as we can. Divorce
is similar in both countries and so is the remarriage after the death of a spouse.
In this research and interview on the country of Laos, my eyes were open to a whole new
world. Phone showed me pictures of the beautiful dress of her people and of the beautiful
landscape. I also noticed how proud Phone was that I wanted to know about her country. I
found many differences between her native Laos and America, but I recognized the national
pride she had and shared it with her. I noticed many different values in Laotian culture
that are lacking in America, for instance patience and an acceptance of life and death. I
also realized that there is a whole lot more to learn from Laos and from Phone. 
Bibliography