Lao

The Lao people are a Buddhist ethnic group primarily residing in Laos and parts of northeastern Thailand. Their official language is Lao, which belongs to the Tai language family and is tonal, using pitch to differentiate word meanings. The Lao language is written in a script of Indic origin, similar to Thai.12

Laos is a diverse country with various ethnic groups, officially categorized into Lao Loum (Lowland Lao), Lao Theung (Midland Lao), and Lao Soung (Highland Lao). Theravada Buddhism is the predominant religion, practiced by about half the population, largely the lowland Lao. Other groups follow local religions, and there's a syncretic practice of Buddhism with local traditions. Daily life for most families involves farming, particularly wet rice cultivation, with a gendered division of labor. Traditional rituals, like the baci ceremony, are significant in Lao culture.345