|
One thing that does not
change is the magic the old culture including the way of living of Lao
people is the thing that the world tourists wish to see...
SIKHOTTABONG
STUPA
IF you ever
have a chance to operate any businesses or visit Thakhek, Khammouan
province, please go and see Sikhottabong stupa, a high standard of
architecture and a beautiful historical site in Laos.
ITS LOCATION
This stupa is
located in the former city of the Sikhottabong Empire, 6 km south from
Thakhek city along the road No.13 B, section Thakhek-Nangbok. It was
built on the flat terrain along the bank of the Mekong river. This
stupa illustrates an important architecture of Laos. Its shape looks
like a four stupa. If we look far away, it looks like the lotus. It is
the middle size stupa which was reconstructured in the 16th century by
King Sayasetthathirath when he governed Lanexang Kingdom.
WHO BUILT THIS STUPA?
According to
Khammouan Tourism office, this stupa was formerly built in the
Sikhottabong Empire to mark the reputation of King Sikhottabong. The
former stupa was the place to keep the bones of the 4 Lard Buddha
whose names are Koukousantho, Konakhamano, Katsapo and Khotamo. It was
built by King Souminthalat or Soumittathammavongsathilath of
Sikhottabong Empire by the advice of some honourable monks to mark the
dignity and reputation of the king Sikhottabong and the bones of the
four Lord Buddha were kept inside.
ANOTHER DATA
According to Maha Sila VIRAVONG, this temple was built by King
Sayasetthathrirath in the 16th century between 1566-1567 to cover the
old stupa built in the Sikhottabong Empire. Professor Bounheng
BOUASISENG- PASEUTH also agrees that it was built in 16th century and
built to cover the old stupa of Ssikhottabong. This former one was
1.30 meter high. It is believed that the old stupa, was in the area
around the present one. Some evidence about Sikhottabong stupa are as
follows :
1. Trail of an old big stupa.
2. Trail of Phrakachai house ( the big belly Buddha image).
3. Trail of old monk house.
4. Trail of old temple.
5. Houai Kaoma stream, an historical stream the story of which is
related to Sikhottabong history.
6. The milestones.
Among these above evidences, the milestone sculptured the shape of
stupa in the centre was found under the ground of the old temple area.
The milestone is the same as in Vientiane and Longngum area in
Thoulakhom and Keo-Oudom districts, Vientiane province where the
historical arts of Mon-Khorm made when Sikhottabong Empire proposed.
Due to the above evidences, Professor Bounheng BOUASISENGPRASEUTH
emphasized that the present Sikhottabong stupa was built by King
Sayasetthathirath in 16th century covering the old stupa built in the
6th and 10th centuries which has related story on the construction of
That Phnom in Thailand and That Ing Hang in Savannakhet. To sum up, it
can be said that the old Sikhottabong stupa was built by King
Souminthalath or Souminttatha- mmavongsathilath to mark the between
6th and 10th centuries. When King Sayasetthathirath governed
Vientiane in 16th century, he rebuilt Sikhottabong stupa, the same as
he did for That Luang at Vientiane. He reconstructured the big stupa
to cover the old stupa which was built by Boulichan or PhraNha
Chanthabouli Pasitthisak and five honourable monks.
TRADITION
FESTIVAL
Sikhottabong stupa is an old architecture of Thakhek, Khammouan and
lao people. In the full moon of the third month, the annual rite was
organized by Khammouan people and other provinces involving people
from Isarn Thailand, Nakorn Phnom and the nearby provinces to gather
for the stupa worshipping and entertainment.
VOD
LAO
"Vod" is
a traditional Lao musicial instrument. It is played either by blowing
or throwing with the string. It is very popular in rural area. How
nice of its voice are depended on the players. If the player can play
low and high voice it makes the listeners to please with the sounds.
The main part of the Vod is made of hard bamboo. To make a Vod, the
bamboos cut from the forest. The bamboo is them peeled and left to
dried under the sun. After making the main structure, the smaller
bamboo pipes are made. These amaller pipes are known as "Louk Vod".
Once all the pieces are dried, they are fixed together by local glue "Kisoud"
the instrument is then ready for playing. As mentioned above the
instrument can be played by throwing it in to the air. To do this, it
should tie with string, then taken to a high place and thrown to the
sky. usually young farmers make and play it in the winter ot at
harvesting time. According to old people it is played to say thank you
to the gog of rain. Today the Vod is still preserved as a local
musical instrument. It was originally made by the Lao and thenit was
made 2000 years ago at the same time as Kene was made.
JIENG
TEUM STUPA
Jieng
Teum stupa is one of the oldest worshipping grounds in Muong Sing
District, Luangnamtha Province. It's beautiful architecture captures
interest among cultural tourism from both local and foreign tourist.
Once in Muong Sing district, opportunity to visit and worship Jieng
Teum stupa tells one how much there is to know about Moung sing
district. Jieng Teum stupa is considered a middle sized stupa, it's
bottom is rounded with an octagon shaped point at top, artistry of leu
tribe. It is decorated with mosaics and Buddhist symbols with four
little stupas at each corner and sculpture of a young child. Moung
Sing is 58 km from Luangnamtha district. Upon entering Moung Sing, one
can see a plaque written in the Leu language. There are two ways to
get to Jieng teum Stupa, by road and by mounting the stairs of 300
steps.
According to the Luangnamtha Museum, the stupa was built in the year
1796 and later renovated in 1997 with an addition of two stupa of the
small size. The well-protected areas of Jieng Teum stupa are in
perfect condition and presently taken care of by the locals. the
locals of Luangnamtha province prepare an annual at the same time of
the That Luang festival of Vientiane. The surrounding of the stupa
include a water spring and a road to Namkeo waterfall. Ethnic minority
groups inhabiting within their traditional culture and customs. Many
stories relate that Jieng Teum stupa was built by a young prince named
Inphan, the son of the King of Moung San, King savannifa. Reincarnated
from his pervious life, he became a very gifted child at the age of 7
and later became the guardian of Xieng Kaeng Village, Muong Sing
district Luangnamtha province.
VML team members visited Jieng Teum stupa on the first of June 2000
along the winding road because time limit kept us from using the
stairs. Visiting Jieng Teum stupa, we came to know the art and
architecture of the Leu tribe, old cultures and traditional culture of
the livelihoods of many surrounding ethnic groups. |
Information provided by Laos National Tourism Authority.
