The Tree of the Lao People
The Lao are the largest ethnic group in the country, more than half of its population. Lao houses are built on high stilts, and the ‘ground’ floor is usually used for storing things or keeping animals.
Their main activities are agriculture, fishing, and weaving. The variety of colour-weaves is astonishing.
A cockerel on a boat, designed for the popular boat races the Lao have
Lao people traditionally build their homes near water.
Rice liquor is made all over the country – there are three main types. There’s a low-strength rice wine, similar to Japanese saké; a strong brew that’s like putcheen; and a sweet wine, like a liquer.
There’s a popular trade in wines whose bottles have different creatures inside – they have to be sorted out, before pouring!