The first attempts at preservation outside the local
wat occurred with
French academics working in the 1900s for the
École française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO), and
Prince Phetsarath in the 1950s as part of the
Lao Issara. International
non-governmental organizations geared toward cultural preservation have been allowed to operate since the 1990s. Some cultural heritage is stored or protected in monasteries throughout the country. Museums are the
Haw Phra Kaew in
Vientiane, and the
Royal Palace Museum in
Luang Prabang.
Weaving People traditionally raise the silk worms on a diet of mulberry leaves, the silk is woven on hand looms in the north or on foot looms in the south. Each region and ethnic group has their own traditional weaving techniques. In the south weaving is characterized by patterns of elephants, temples,
khmer influenced designs and features beadwork. The northeast is known for using raw silk and cotton, and tye-dying raw silk known as
matmii or
ikat. Central Laos runs along the
Mekong River and is known for natural
indigo dyes and diamond patterns which symbolize the protective scales of the mythical
naga. In the former royal city of
Luang Prabang embroidery using gold and silver threads is preserved.
Sculpture Sculptures of the
Buddha were traditionally cast in bronze, silver, gold or
thong which is a gold and silver alloy. Wooden
Buddha images were made by individuals seeking
merit. The sculptures follow conventional forms and
mudras found throughout
Theravada Southeast Asia. A form is the standing Buddha in a “calling for rain”
mudra, with hands at his side in a downward position, and a symmetrical flowing robe on both sides. Another
mudra is standing, with hands crossed in front at the wrists in a “contemplation”
mudra. These images have their origins in the sixteenth century, and are further characterized by longer facial features, and thinner more
aquiline noses. A sculpture is the
Phra Bang a gold statue from which the city of
Luang Pra Bang takes its name. According to legend the
Phra Bang was cast in
Ceylon, transferred to the
Khmer Empire and then came north to
Lan Xang at the request of
Fa Ngum's Khmer queen. Other Buddha images include the bronze
Buddha images found in Wat Ong Teu and
Wat Manorom. Smaller images are found at the
Haw Phra Kaew, and
Wat Sisaket in
Vientiane or in temples like Wat Visoun in
Luang Prabang. A number of Buddha images have been lost or taken during the conflicts of the nineteenth and twentieth century. Some images which originated in the
Kingdom of Lan Na were taken to Laos by
King Setthathirath in the sixteenth century. These images were crafted for each of his daughters from solid gold, and include the
Phra Sae Kham (housed at Wat Pho Chai in
Nong Khai,
Thailand),
Phra Seum (housed at Wat Patum Wanaram, in
Bangkok,
Thailand), and the
Phra Souk. These images were taken by the Thai armies in the nineteenth century to
Isan and were ultimately bound for
Bangkok. The
Phra Souk or “Lucky Buddha,” sank in the
Mekong during the storm which occurred when the 3 images were being moved by the Thais, the legend is depicted in murals at Wat Pho Chai. Other sets of royal
Buddha images were lost during the era of
French colonialism. Some were sold or taken as souvenirs, a number of royal images were lost in 1910 when the French gunboat the
La Grandiere sank on the
Mekong en route to a
Paris exhibition.
Woodworking Traditionally used in temples, some homes and government buildings have some carved elements. Carved furniture, elephant
howdahs, river barges, and funerary carts can be found among the private collections of the elite or the Royal collections at the
Palace Museum in
Luang Prabang. A European accounts of exploration to Laos in the sixteenth century described the bas reliefs which were found on the temples and palaces. Some examples of the craft are found along the temple frieze of
Wat Mai, and the royal funerary chapel at
Wat Xieng Thong in
Luang Prabang.
Handicrafts Laos produces a number of handicrafts which use
bamboo and other forms of basketry. Traditionally Lao use woven bamboo mats in homes and temples. Basketry is traditionally seen in forms of domestic kitchen equipment, or in the house where bamboo thatching is used. Mulberry leaves which are not used for silk worm production are used for the production of
saa paper.
Saa paper is a traditional art form which has been incorporated into a number of crafts for the tourist industry around
Luang Prabang. ==Music and performance arts==