Laos has earned renewed global recognition with the recent addition of the Fonelamvong dance to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list on 5 December. This honor adds to the growing list of Lao landmarks already recognized by UNESCO.
Among the listed sites are the Plain of Jars, an archaeological wonder in Xiengkhouang Province, and the town of Luang Prabang. However, Laos’ list of intangible heritage extends beyond these landmarks.
Fonelamvong
Laos’ traditional “Fonelamvong” dance was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list on 5 December.
This community dance, involving men and women forming circles and moving counterclockwise in repeated eight-step cycles, was originally a village tradition. Today, it is performed at weddings, cultural events, and taught in schools. The dance symbolizes Lao identity, culture, and unity, strengthening social bonds across generations.
Lao Naga motif
On 6 December 2023, Lao Naga motif Waving was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Lao women weave Naga designs into traditional skirts, symbolizing protection and strength.
The Naga motif tells cultural stories and reflects the identity of the Lao people.
The Plain of Jars
In addition to the cultural inscriptions, Laos’ Plain of Jars, located in Xiangkhouang Province, was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list in July 2019. The site, famous for its more than 2,100 megalithic stone jars believed to have been used in funerary practices, dates back to the Iron Age (500 BCE – 800 CE).
This addition marked Laos’ third World Heritage Site, following the historic town of Luang Prabang and the ancient Vat Phou temple. The announcement was made in July 2019 at the 43rd World Heritage Committee session in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Khaen
In December 2017, the traditional Khaen music of Laos, a crucial part of Lao culture, was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
The Khaen is a traditional instrument integral to Lao music, and its inclusion highlights the importance of safeguarding cultural practices that are in need of urgent protection. This decision was made during the UNESCO 2003 Convention in Jeju, South Korea, with 24 members electing to preserve the practice.
Luang Prabang
UNESCO celebrates the town of Luang Prabang as “an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries.” It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list on 9 December 1995.
Vat Phou
In 2001, UNESCO also added Vat Phou to its list of World Heritage Sites. This ancient temple site is located in southern Laos, Champassak Province, and was a part of the Khmer Empire in the 10th century. . Designed to symbolize the relationship between humankind and nature, the temple’s construction is centered around an axis that reflects the spiritual and architectural harmony of the time.
Ongoing Efforts for Global Recognition
Beyond these recent additions, Laos continues its efforts to preserve and promote its cultural heritage. In 2023, Laos submitted a proposal for the Baci ceremony, a traditional ritual that involves the “calling of the soul” using white cotton strings tied around the wrists to promote well-being. The Baci ceremony is practiced during important occasions, including weddings, housewarming events, and recoveries from illness.
Additionally, Laos is working to submit the Sao Hin Tang, a group of ancient stone pillars in Houaphanh Province, for consideration as a cultural World Heritage Site. The government has also put forward the Nakai Nam Theun National Park in Khammouan Province as a candidate for inscription as a natural World Heritage Site.
