Laos- How is this?

Author: * SuHue Luong - 18 Posts on this thread out of 137 Posts sitewide.
Date: Aug 13, 2004 - 14:10

Laos

Rudimentary structures of a multiethnic state existed before the founding
of the Kingdom of Lan Xang in the thirteenth century.
These prethirteenth-century structures consisted of small confederative communities
in river valleys and among the mountain peoples, who found security
away from the well-traveled rivers and overland tracks where the institutions
and customs of the Laotian people were gradually forged in contact with other peoples of the region.

During these centuries, the stirring of migrations as well as religious conflict
and syncretism went on more or less continuously.
Laos's shortlived vassalage to foreign empires such as the Cham, Khmer, and Sukhothai
did nothing to discourage this process of cultural identification and, in fact, favored its shaping.

Brief History of Laos

2,000 - 500 A.D. - Early pottery and bronze culture, middle Mekong Valley.
First century B.C. - Early mandala fifth century formed in middle Mekong Valley.
Mid-sixth century - Zhenla established, centered on Champasak.
Early eighth century - Zhenla divided into "Water Zhenla" and "Land Zhenla."
Eighth-twelfth centuries - Mon mandala of central Mekong region fall under Khmer domination.
Tenth-twelfth centuries - Muang Sua (Louangphrabang), renamed Xieng Dong Xieng Tong.
Twelfth century - Candapuri mandala in Vientiane region absorbed within Khmer Empire.
1271 - 72 - Panya Lang rules Xieng Dong Xieng Thong.
1279 - Tai mandala of Sukhotai founded by King Ramkhamhaeng;

Laos has 3 Major distinct Societies

Lowland Lao Society
Lao Loum (Laotian of the valley)

Midland Lao Society
Lao Theung (Laotian of the mountain slopes)

Upland Lao Society
Lao Sung (Laotian of the mountain top)

One of the Greatest kings of Laos was King Fa Ngum (1354- 1371).
He was crowned king of Lan Xang at Vientiane, the site of one of his victories.
His conquest of the territories to the north of Angkor over the next six years
reopened Mongol communications with that place, which had been cut off.
Fa Ngum organized the conquered principalities into provinces.
Lan Xang extended from the border of China to Sambor below the Mekong rapids
and from the Vietnamese border to the western escarpment of the Khorat Plateau

Thinking of moving to Laos? There are 3 properties up for auction!