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Sabaydii,

Thanks Phouthone for keeping this conversation going.
I will get back to your points later (I like to talk
about history, philosophy, religion and literature). 
As I, myself, don't have time today, I would like to
add to the discussion by attaching another little
essay I wrote some time ago.

*****
The Lao are not the dying race

At first glance, the Lao look like the dying race. 
History seems to confirm that belief.  But with a
 deeper look, the Lao are far from being the dying
race.
  
 In metaphoric term, the Lao are like the lily swaying
with the wind.  On the surface, it looks weak for
 whatever direction the wind blows, it goes with it. 
One might think that it has no mind of its own - a
 laughing stock to the strong and mighty.  Little do
they know that it does survive standing the test of
 time.
  
 It is no small feat that the Lao still survive and
have their own country. Being sandwiched between the
 two aggressive neighbors, the Lao perfect the art of
give and take. At times, they appear that they don't
 control their own destiny by giving too much
especially when the wind is strong. In fact, the Lao
are
 realistic and wise enough not to wreck their own neck
in that situation.  They learn from their own
 mistake that when the time is not right, patience is
their most valued friend. Once opportunity
 presents, they will seize it the way they did in the
times of Chao FaGnum and Chao Saysettha.
  
 That is the way the Lao work.
 That is the wisdom we, true Luk Lao Larn Lao,
inherit.
  
 True Luk Lao Larn Lao know that two hundred years of
defeat, separation and tons of the other side
 propaganda do cause the turnover-coats, division,
confusion, ignorance, cowardness, petty jealousy
 and
 hoarded personal vested interest among ourselves. It
is perfectly natural and understandable that these
 things happen.  Any country, any people with the kind
of circumstances the Lao have will all
 experience the same thing.
  
 Still, it is terribly hard to look at the eyes of
those Lao (from any political stripes) who babble the
words
 of those who humiliated their ancestors.  Little do
they know that they are Lao only in name but not an
 iota of Lao soul in their heart.
  
 In the final analysis, the Lao are gradually rising.
  
 From Laos:
 Peace and unity finally come to Laos.  Now, the Lao
can build their country as in the time of Chao
 Souriyavongsa.
  
 From Isan:
 They come to realize that they are not the Thai
despite years of cultural assimilation.  They make it
 clear through Siengkhene and Lum that they are still
Lao deep down in their psyches. What they are
 waiting right now is the right moment to join the Lao
in Laos as one again.  This time won't be under
 Siam or Thailand but Lao LanXang. 
  
 From Overseas:
 The Lao have experienced the big wide world.  They
are educated.  They have money and they know
 the way of the modern world.  What is
 interesting is: they still care about their country
they left behind. They are also waiting for the right
 moment to build Muang Lao - greater and brighter than
of any time.
  
 That time will come...
  
 When the wind doesn't blow so hard
 When the old diehard generation pass away
 And when the Lao are ready to claim Muang Lao for
Quon Lao (not Quon Thai or Quon Viet) once and
 for all.
  
 Then it will be the time for our ancestors who fought
bravely to keep Muang Lao for us -past, present
 and future to finally rest in peace. 
  
 May we, Luk Lao and Larn Lao, live long enough to see
and contribute to that glorious day!

Hakphaang,
Kongkeo Saycocie

P.S. Adisack: Khuam Penh Lao is hard to translate into
English.  Anyway, to put it in plain language, it is
like the characteristics of being Lao.  Something that
distinguishes us from other ethnic groups.  In another
Lao word, it is called "Eckarack Lao".


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