Laos: Portraits of a Laven Tribe
An ethnic Laven playing a native guitar
Just a short walk from Pa Suam Falls, is an ethnic village where we found a community of Laven Tribe. The Laven Tribe is the most predominant tribe in Southern Laos. Bolaven Plateau actually came from the name Bolaven which means “Home of the Laven”. Before, when people say Laos, the first picture that comes to mind for me are monks and temples. So I’m glad to be able to interact with some indigenous tribes in Laos as well.
Laven Tribe generations of Women
The Laven are hillside tribes living mostly at the altitude of more than 600 meters and still wears their traditional cloths unlike the minorities of the north as I was told. At first look, the tribe reminded me a lot of our Ifugao Minority. Their red clothes and weaving patterns but they don’t have the elaborate head dresses the Ifugao have.
A young Laven girl by the door
What some of the women has are facial tattoos and elaborate earings, bracletsa nd necklaces. Laven tribe are known for their hand woven cloths and unique bead patterns woven into their clothes. I also noticed their strong inclination to music. They’ve got a lot of native instruments.
Laven Ethnic Tribe Portrait
Laven are also believed to follow animistic beliefs while some groups still practices animal sacrifice. Though a small number has already Buddhist beliefs. I also noticed that these people enjoy living high altitude that some of their houses are as high as the trees. They also have interesting pottery at their central museum.
An elder Laven with a bamboo smoke
If one wishes to experience living with the Laven tribe, they accept home stays here at the ethnic tribe near Pa Suam Falls. It would have been an interesting experience if I had more time. Still I enjoyed taking a glimpse of the lives of a Laven. This was our last stop for the day and we made our way back.
A Laven Flute Player
On our way back to Pakse, I told Lomee to stop first for a late lunch. On the road we stopped by a local lao eatery. I met a few friends of Lomee who happens to be eating there as well. An English professor from his university and his companions. There I learned how to properly eat Sticky Rice Lao Style. Which is to roll the rice on the palm of my hand to shape it like a ball and attach some of the viands to it then eat. We arrived back at Pakse by almost mid-afternoon, ending my exploration of Bolaven Plateau.
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Tags: Bolaven Plateau, Culture, Laos, People, Southern Laos
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Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 at 12:05 am 
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March 17th, 2009 at 2:34 am
I really like to stay with this tribe for a week. It must be a wonderful experience. Their clothing has a lot of similarities with tribes from PI.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:44 am
really nice travel portraits, my friend. i agree with photo cache, i’lll be willing to stay with this tribe for a week or so. it’s always wonderful to interact with the locals and as you’ve written, i also think of laos as about monks and temples, so tribes like the laven are really something else. yung pagkain ng sticky rice, tulad ng kuwento mo, must be really fun. parang gumagawa ng bilo-bilo para sa ginataang halo-halo natin
March 17th, 2009 at 8:56 am
sticky rice? how did it taste? something unique.
the laven culture looks like a mix of tiboli and the ifugaos.
i like the idea of home stay. never tried doing it yet in travel. but ill definitely try doing it one day.
March 17th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
hardcore mga tunnel earing nila! grabeh angas tignan. =p
March 17th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
natawa naman ako sa comment ni Pao, yung hikaw talaga ang napansin, nyehehe!
very interesting tribe. were you able to communicate with them, Ferdz? they look very accomodating. ganda ng mga shots, highlighting more on their colorful accessories and clothings. di rin nalalayo mga features nila sa atin so it looks and feels familiar. will be looking out for more of your Laos trip.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:18 am
I would like to as well Photo Cache, given time. Yup it’s very similar to our Ifugaos.
haha! I’ll go more into detail about Lao food later Og! :p
That’s a neat comparison Dom! Sticky rice taste like ordinary rice, but the difference is how you eat it.
Ang siga no Pao!
They couldn’t understand English Rayts so I did my creative sign language again
I think I made a few leaps and bounds hehe
March 18th, 2009 at 9:29 am
very sharp photos ferdz, parang nanood na rin ako ng national geographic bcoz of your post. friendly ba sila?
March 20th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Is the bamboo smoke like cigarettes for them? I’m assuming that it is.