Example:the Tai Lao rooms

About 55% of the population belongs to the Lao group. It is the largest ethnic group of the country to which it gave both its name and official language. The Lao live primarily in lowland areas and along riverbanks, farming paddy rice. They eat sticky rice (khao niaow), which is a distinctive production of the country. The Lao practice Theravada Buddhism and combine it with animism, a strong belief in spirits. One of their best-known and most practiced ceremonies is the baci. It is led by a village elder to bestow blessings on a person or people or to mark an important event. Another name for this ceremony, soukhwan, means “calling of the souls”. It refers to the belief that people are made of 32 spirits or vital forces, that must come together for optimum health and harmony. Every Lao village has a temple, which acts as the center of education, accommodation, meetings, and religious rituals. Traditionally, every male over the age of 12 has to enter a monkhood at a temple for a period of time. Traditional Lao homes are built 2.5 meters to 3 meters above the ground with a big balcony where people can rest or meet visitors. Underneath the houses, families usually set up a loom, or keep farming equipment or livestock.

The artworks above the beds are made of natural tree leaves, black ink and gold.

The bed runners and pillows of the Tai Lao rooms are all handmade from pure silk woven by Phaeng Mai Gallery in Vientiane. Their style, although modern, draws on traditional Lao motifs.