Laos 1987 - Ethnic Costumes

Date of Issue: 02 December 1987
Perforation: 12¾

There are 68 official ethnic groups in Laos, belonging to three main groups: Lao Theung, Lao Loum and Lao Soung.

The Lao Loum (Low Lao) are the principal lowland inhabitants and the politically and culturally dominant group. The Lao Sung (High Lao) are the Hill people and minority cultures of Laos such as the Hmong (Meo), Yaho ( Mien), Thai Damm that have lived in isolated regions for many years. The Lao Theung (Upland Lao) are the predominate people in the central and southern mountains of Laos.

Here are several items depicting women representing the three main ethnic groups of Laos:

7 Lao Kip - Lao Theung

38 Lao Kip - Lao Loum

144 Lao Kip - Lao Soung