Lao People's Democratic Republic
In Laos, dance is not merely a form of artistic expression : it is a sacred and cultural
language deeply embedded in the country’s spiritual life. Rooted in Buddhist rituals,
ancient animist beliefs, and royal court traditions, Lao sacred dances accompany
religious ceremonies, healing rites, festive celebrations, and community gatherings.
The most famous among them is Lam Vong, a graceful circular dance that embodies
Lao identity. Performed at weddings, festivals, and Buddhist events, it symbolizes
harmony and social unity. Complementing it are classical court dances like Phra Lak
Phra Ram, based on the Ramayana epic, featuring ornate costumes and choreographed
storytelling steeped in royal heritage. Ritualistic dances like Lam Phi Fa are
performed by spiritual mediums to heal or expel negative spirits, while Baci dances
are part of ceremonial blessings, invoking good fortune and calling back the soul’s
energy. Ethnic minorities across Laos also preserve unique tribal dances tied to nature,
harvests, love, or ancestral worship, often accompanied by traditional instruments like
the khaen (bamboo mouth organ).
Transmitted through generations by observation and imitation, Lao sacred dances are
a blend of music, symbolism, and movement. They reflect the heart of Lao spirituality
and community : calm, connected, and meaningful.
List of Dances
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Fonelamvonglao Lao People’s Democratic Repulic
Fone nang keo Lao People’s Democratic Repulic
Lam Phi fa Lao People’s Democratic Repulic
Ko-that Lao People’s Democratic Repulic
Kratop Maa Bamboo Lao People’s Democratic Repulic
Phra Lak Phra Lam Lao People’s Democratic Repulic
Fonelamvonglao (lamvonglao)
Inscribed in 2024 (19.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Read the full article in UNESCO’s Website
See the Video of the Unesco’s website
Thanks to our trainee Ms Candice Jasmin for collecting the informations
The fonelamvonglao is a celebratory dance practiced widely by Lao communities. It involves couples of men and women. To start the dance, the man typically invites the woman onto the dance floor. The men perform in an inner circle and the women perform in an outer circle, dancing in a counterclockwise direction. The dance consists of cycles of eight movements that are repeated for the duration of the song. The dancers count from one to eight in each cycle, with the number dictating the position of the feet and hands. Traditionally performed in villages, the dance is now practised widely in events ranging from weddings to conferences.
It is associated with communal meals and meetings that unite families and communities. The related knowledge and skills are passed down informally through hands-on practice. *This common folk dance is shared among Southeastern countries: Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and is so popular for men and women. Its origin comes from the Khmer Empire.
Because of its popularity, Lam Vong is considered as Laos national dance. Everyone knows how to do Lam Vong dance whoever they are : children, soldiers, farmers, etc. There are many variations of the dance in each religion, but the spirit remains the same. Lam Vong is carried out on special occasions such as guest welcoming, wedding by the groom and the bride, celebrating New Year, at parties, festivals, etc. At parties, people don’t usually wear Laotian traditional costume, therefore, they can do the traditional dance without it. But when women take part in a formal event such as a wedding, they have to wear “sinh” as compulsory. In contraction, men don’t have to wear Laotian traditional costume; the only moment when they wear it is at their wedding.
Region : whole Laos
Ethnic group : Lao loum
Spirituality : Theravāda buddhism
Fone Nang Keo
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(credit Emily P.)
Thanks to our trainee Ms Candice Jasmin for collecting the informations
The Lao royal dance is called Fone Nang Keo. ( ’Dance of Lady Keo’) in honour of Queen Keo Kengnya (also known as Queen Keo Lot Fa), a Khmer princess from Angkor and wife of King Fa Ngum. She is credited for bringing both Buddhism and Khmer culture, including the royal dance, to the imperial capital of Luang Prabang. During times of peace, her entourage would practice a dance derived from the Khmer royal ballet. A dance representation would
only be held for special occasions. Since then, the dance has been closely preserved and cherished by the people of Luang Prabang. provided young girls to perform the Fone Nang Keo. The dance masters came from this village which was under the direct ownership of the King, its people serving as tributaries. In exchange, they were exempt from government taxes and received food from the royal palace. The Fone Nang Keo was once the exclusive property of the King, accompanying the life of the Lang Xang Hom Kao dynasty. Over time, it has evolved into a sacred ritual to honour and invoke protection from the gods and protective spirits of Laotian folklore.
Region : Luang Prabang
Ethnic group : Lao loum
Spirituality : Theravada buddhism
Lam Phi Fa
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(credit : Thai Music and Dance)
Thanks to our trainee Ms Candice Jasmin for collecting the informations
The Phi Fa ritual is a practice preferably celebrated for a person who recovers after convalescence from a serious disease. The shaman is the medium, that is able to contact Phi Fa and invite her to take part in the ceremony. The shaman selects the suitable date and location for the ceremony, instructs participants during the preparation of the ritual, controls the correct decoration of the sacrificial altar, and conducts the ceremony.
Phi Fa ritual participants dance around a decorated sacrificial altar. The dance lasts a full night and creates trance conditions for many of the participants. They believe Phi Fa will participate the ceremony and they expect healing and protection from unfavorable fortune.
The steps of the ritual are related to the songs chanted by the shaman and are always accompanied by the khaen. This is because the khaen is believed to be an important mean to communicate with the gods and the spirits. The steps of the ritual are as follows: inviting the gods or spirits, explaining the reason for the invitation, praying for assistance, praying for protection, consoling the patient, re-calling the spirit that has fled the patient, inviting Phi Fa to accept the offerings, Baasii ritual, fortune telling, and taking leave of Phi Fa.
Lam Phi Fa is part of the ritual to propitiate spirits in cases of possession. Musically it derived from Lam Tang Yao; however, it was performed not by trained musicians but by those, most commonly old women, who were thought themselves to have been cured by the ritual In his Traditional Music of the Lao, Terry Miller identifies five factors which helped to produce the various genres of lam or dance in Isan: animism, Buddhism, story telling, ritual courtship, and male-female competitive folk music. One of these is Lam Phi Fa, the Phi Fa dance. Lam Phi Fa, together with Lam Phuen is one of the oldest genres.
Region : northeastern Laos
Ethnic group : Common among Lao Theung groups, including the Katang people, and other
communities with strong animist traditions
Spirituality : A shamanic healing ritual, animist belief system
Phra Lak Phra Lam
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(credit Laosavan82)
Thanks to our trainee Ms Candice Jasmin for collecting the informations
Phra Lak Phra Ram is the national epic of the Lao people, an adaptation of the ancient Indian epic Ramayana.
Phra Lak Phra Ram is named after two principal characters, the brothers Phra Lak, or Lakshaman, and Phra Ram, or Rama. Since Phra Ram is considered the hero, it is believed the altered name was chosen for euphony. Veteran dance performers of Luang Prabang, however, say that Phra Lak comes first in deference to his voluntary assistance of Phra Ram, whose actions were obligatory to his kingship. Since it is also considered a Jataka tale, it is referred to as Phra Ram Xadôk Phra Lak Phra Ram is a Laotian religious dance depicting an epic tale of Buddhism. Through
dancing, we are told about the story of two brothers Phra Lak and Phra Ram (relating to Buddhism). Phra Lak Phra Ram is usually played in Royal Ballet Theater in Luang Prabang, where can be seen as the cradle of Buddhism in Laos.
The male and female dancers in Phra Lak Phra Ram wear elaborate costumes and colorful masks.
Region : Primarily perfomed in Luang Prabang
Ethnic group : Lao loum majority, particularly the Thai Lue community from Ban Phanom village
Spirituality : Theravāda Buddhism teachings with elements of Hindu mythology and some animist
aspects
Ko-that
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Thanks to our trainee Ms Candice Jasmin for collecting the informations
Kò Thạt dance, a venerable treasure among the traditions of the Lao people, finds its origins in the picturesque province of Savannakhet. This timeless performance takes center stage during religious festivals, most notably the resplendent Vesak festival, a cherished annual observance held in the month of April.
Kò Thạt dance carries with it an air of solemnity, as it unfolds primarily through the graceful movements of Lao men, who pay homage to the divine presence of Lord Buddha. The dance is a profound expression of reverence, a heartfelt tribute to the spiritual essence that pervades the hearts of the Lao people.
The dance commences with a solemn formation of men standing in reverent alignment, facing the solemn majesty of a Buddha shrine. As the rhythmic pulse of the drums beckons, their movements unfold with a mesmerizing grace and rhythm. Each step and gesture, whether it’s the gentle palm-to-palm salutations or the humble bowing, echoes the deep-seated respect for Lord Buddha’s teachings.
Amidst the dance’s poignant cadence, the voices of the men rise in harmony as they sing religious hymns. These melodies are a melodious offering, praising Lord Buddha and invoking blessings of peace upon the nation and its people.
Region : Savannakhet
Ethnic group : Primarily Lao loum
Spirituality : Theravada Buddhism
Kratop Maa Bamboo
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(credit Pari Channel)
Thanks to our trainee Ms Candice Jasmin for collecting the informations
The dancer listens to the music and moves with the rhythm while two other persons tap and switch the bamboo poles on the ground and against each other. The pleasure and enjoyment of the dance are created in order to celebrate a special occasion or festival. This dance belongs to one of the most popular in Southeast Asia, you can also find a similar dance in Vietnam, the Philippines, etc.
This art form requires the dancers to be very light and quick on their feet so they can move with the rhythm.
Region : Laos’ mountainous area
Ethnic group : Khmu, hmong, lahu, akha, yao
Spirituality : animism and buddhism