Friday 23 January 2009

Who is This Beautiful Laotian Lady?

When I was in Laos during the Christmas hols last year, I 'met' a beautiful Laotian lady whose identity remains a mystery to me.

I 'met' her at Pat That Luang in Vientiane:


At Mala Guesthouse in Luang Prabang:

And again in Luang Prabang at a roundabout:


Who is this mysterious woman who collects her Rapunzel-like hair into a ponytail at the top of her head and sweeps it to the left and sometimes to the right? Is she a goddess? Or maybe a queen?

I asked the receptionist at the guesthouse I was staying in in Luang Prabang. He mumbled something but I didn't understand what he was saying.

Please leave a comment if you know who she is. I'd love to hear from you.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

She's "mother nature"

Julie Lim said...

After receiving so many hits from around the world via http://samakomlao.blogspot.com, finally someone responds to my question.

Thanks Anonymous!

Anonymous said...

She's called "Nang (Girl/Lady) Pom (Hair) Hom (means "smells good/a good aroma) there's a story behind her, a legend/myth... anyway I'm gone.

Julie Lim said...

Hi Anonymous,

The legend/myth of Nang Pom sounds interesting!

If you have the time, please drop me a comment or email about Nang Pom's story.

Thanks again!

Eric Shieh said...

My 2-cents worth:

Another version (Thai, which borrowed a lot of cultural traditions from Laos & Khmer) is that she is the Earth Goddess (Thoranee I think). You may see her statues in Thai temples or statuary shops in Thailand. All will have similar pose of long hair in hands, sitting or standing.

Devotees will normally place the statue in a water-filled place - pool/fountain - with water covering to ankle level; the water itself may be added fragrances or flowers. Believed to attract wealth & enhance harmony.

Julie Lim said...

Wai Piew,

I'll remember to watch out for the Earth Goddess the next time I'm in Thailand. Thanks for your 2-cents worth :-)

Anonymous said...

She's Lao people mother. She watching over her childrens. Lao mother land.

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