View of some ethnic minorities in Laos

Information & Travel
Post Reply
User avatar
Laan Yaa Mo
udonmap.com
Posts: 9185
Joined: February 7, 2007, 9:12 am
Location: ขอนแก่น

View of some ethnic minorities in Laos

Post by Laan Yaa Mo » September 21, 2014, 9:36 pm

I read somewhere that the Lao people only constitute about one-third of the population of the country. There are many minorities living in the hills, and you can get an idea of the dress of some of them in this music video. I only came across a few of the minority people, mostly in Luang Namtha, Muang Sing, the Bolaven Plateau and Oudomxai. In the video the major activity seems to be tossing and catching tennis balls.



You only pass through this life once, you don't come back for an encore.

JoeThrows
udonmap.com
Posts: 293
Joined: July 9, 2014, 7:34 pm

Re: View of some ethnic minorities in Laos

Post by JoeThrows » September 22, 2014, 11:25 am

What's the story with the tennis balls? Seems pretty random

User avatar
Laan Yaa Mo
udonmap.com
Posts: 9185
Joined: February 7, 2007, 9:12 am
Location: ขอนแก่น

View of some ethnic minorities in Laos

Post by Laan Yaa Mo » September 22, 2014, 6:28 pm

Good question. Maybe it is a courting ritual, or perhaps it is the start of baseball spring training and they are getting their arms loose before they pitch from the mound. 55+
You only pass through this life once, you don't come back for an encore.

User avatar
Laan Yaa Mo
udonmap.com
Posts: 9185
Joined: February 7, 2007, 9:12 am
Location: ขอนแก่น

View of some ethnic minorities in Laos

Post by Laan Yaa Mo » September 29, 2014, 1:20 am

It turns out that the throwing of tennis balls by Hmong youth (pov pob) is indeed a courting ritual. If the girl likes a guy she tosses the ball to him, and hopes it is returned. If the boy throws the ball to the girl and she drops it, well, that's it. She is not interested.

http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=% ... lifeliving
You only pass through this life once, you don't come back for an encore.

User avatar
Laan Yaa Mo
udonmap.com
Posts: 9185
Joined: February 7, 2007, 9:12 am
Location: ขอนแก่น

View of some ethnic minorities in Laos

Post by Laan Yaa Mo » September 29, 2014, 1:25 am

These young girls must be practising for the big day:-

You only pass through this life once, you don't come back for an encore.

User avatar
Laan Yaa Mo
udonmap.com
Posts: 9185
Joined: February 7, 2007, 9:12 am
Location: ขอนแก่น

View of some ethnic minorities in Laos

Post by Laan Yaa Mo » August 22, 2015, 12:43 am

Here is a look at the Hmong New Year, and you can see that tennis-ball throwing plays a major role. Some of these people should invest in rackets as their hand and eye co-ordination is probably pretty good.

You only pass through this life once, you don't come back for an encore.

User avatar
Laan Yaa Mo
udonmap.com
Posts: 9185
Joined: February 7, 2007, 9:12 am
Location: ขอนแก่น

View of some ethnic minorities in Laos

Post by Laan Yaa Mo » August 26, 2015, 8:14 pm

Along with the Thai, Tai Yai (Shan), and Lao, the Tai Dam are members of the Tai family. You can see a bit of their customs and culture from this video by Pu (crab).

You only pass through this life once, you don't come back for an encore.

Post Reply

Return to “Laos”