============================================================== To reach ALL SJD members, please send to sjd@satjadham.net ... Do NOT include any other addresses when sending to the list... Include as LITTLE of the original messages as possible........ Message sent by: "Mr. Sim Inthavong" *** Announcement: *** Please register for SatJaDham Fifth Annual conference at the website http://www.satjadham.org/sjd5sd/ ============================================================== Dear SJDiers, Sorry for being a little late on my posting. Didn't know what to quite write about, so here we go. My writing will be about what symbols espouse the lao culture. This topic is of particular interest to me, since I just heard a lecture about symbols of lao culture from Dr. Carol Compton (University of Wisconsin-Madison). It has been suggested that distinguishes one culture from another are the symbols found within it. Some might say that it is language or religion that separates one from another. Perhaps the type of cuisines or rituals that are practiced. The problem with this approach is that, it is extremely difficult to isolate an untainted variable. For example, our language is said to belong to the tai family. Language develops over time, along with the writing system. Inevitably, words and vocabulary are borrowed from other cultures. As for religion, the buddhism that most of us lao practice isn't that much different from other Therveda Buddhist states. Perhaps if religion had develop and remained free of outside influences, then we could consider religion as an important variable. As for the food, well even that is learned throughout the time. As for what would be considered symbols of lao culture? Some would suggest that the khene is very much a symbol of lao culture; notwithstanding that the thai who live in Northeastern Thailand, since they are in effect really lao. The khene does seem to symbolize something quite important in our culture. I myself have seen the khene used in rituals; if one were to concentrate and just listen to the harmonic sounds of the khene, one could almost feel its enchantment. Could this be of the fact that the khene is thought to be possessed by a phi? One can only wonder in such moments. Perhaps the rice box, or even sticky rice itself can be distinguish from other cultures. As to my knowledge, I have yet to see a rice box found in another culture, but then again you never know. In the end, what constitutes a symbol for a culture is probably subjective to one's views and objective to the point of view of society as a whole. That is my posting, wasn't the greatest but I gave it my best shot. Thank you everyone, for allowing me this chance to post. Haak Pang, Taon Sim -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why is College Club the largest and fastest growing college student site? Find out for yourself at http://www.collegeclub.com _ ***************************************************************** Visit SatJaDham Homepage at: http://www.satjadham.org (or .net) *****************************************************************