welcome to lios the heart of Southeast Asia a landlocked country that still has its own sea the custom of bride kidnapping happens seasonally throughout the year and after marriage the groom lives with the bride's family or unique Delicacies like wood soup silkworm dung tea or protein Rich water bugs are things many people might not know about the land of a million elephants are you curious to learn more let's explore 11 fascinating facts about Leos that will Amaze the world stay with us until the end of the video where I'll reval a surprising tradition you won't
expect it will take another 200 years to clear all unexploded us bombs from lios this is the harsh reality for the people of Laos the most bombed country in the world during the Vietnam war from 1964 to 1973 American aircraft launched a staggering 180,000 bombing missions over Laos dropping an unbelievable 270 million cluster bombs that's an air strike every 8 minutes 24 hours a day for 9 years straight of those 270 million bombs 100 million didn't explode they still lie dorment across the country silently waiting continuing to claim lives and limbs between 2008 and 2022
La recorded 1,98 bomb related injuries with 184 of those being fatal tragically many victims are innocent children who stumble upon these deadly remnants of War on Thanksgiving 56 years ago while American soldiers in Laos enjoyed turkey dinners delivered by President Lynden Johnson's helicopter the skies above rained down millions of bombs the irony is Stark and haunting but the people of Laos have found a way to turn this tragic Legacy into something useful if you can't destroy the bombs why not repurpose them bomb casings once symbols of Destruction have been transformed into everyday objects you'll find
homes built on bombshell stilts gate posts crafted from these metal monsters and even potted plants and small boats ingeniously made from bomb remnants some Le oceans have taken this transformation even further melting down treated bomb casings to create knives scissors as spoons hammers ax heads and more jewelry souvenirs bells and water jugs items that were once feared as instruments of war are now valuable Commodities a well-preserved bomb casing in lios can fetch more than $100 a testament to the resilience and Ingenuity of its people now we're diving deep into the heart of lios to explore
some truly bizarre colonary experiences that might just make you scream or at least raise an eyebrow get ready to test your limits with these strange and fascinating dishes in Laos you can find a variety of crunchy Critters on the menu in sects we're talking about giant water bugs tarantula spiders fried silk worms earthworms crickets and even grasshoppers these aren't just a dare they're a regular part of the local diet packed with protein and often enjoyed as a crunchy snack they're typically fried or stir fried with spices offering a unique and savory experience one of the
most intriguing insect dishes is ant egg soup where the eggs of large black ants found in trees are the star ingredient this dish has a delicate flavor that contrasts with the intense textures of the other insect offerings it's a must try for those looking to push their culinary boundaries but if you think you've got a strong stomach wait until you meet the water bug imagine sitting down to a nice salad only to find a massive water bug staring back at you no wonder some diners panic in fact many restaurants have stopped serving this dish unless
specifically requested unlike the fried tarantulas that are crisp and easy to eat the water bug has a tough shell that requires some serious chewing trust me it's not for the faint-hearted The Taste is rather ordinary but the challenge lies in the texture most people only try it once driven by sheer curiosity next up is a dish that might just ruin your appetite wood soup Yes you heard that right in lios they've taken eating wood a whole new level this dish is made from a type of wood that becomes soft after cooking however be warned it
can make your tongue tingle and itch especially if you're trying it For the First Time The Sensation is so strange that you might find yourself wanting to spit it out next for something truly unexpected silkworm dung tea yes this tea is made from you guessed it silkworm droppings but don't judge too quickly the locals in luang prabang swear by its light and pleasant taste this special tea is produced in small quantities of the the oak pop to living handicraft Center where silkworms are raised for their silk and their droppings are harvested to make this unique
beverage it's a rare treat and only the bravest Souls dare to try it lastly let's talk about the everyday meals in lios while rice is a staple across Asia many Lao people prefer sticky rice especially with their grilled meats and fish and the best part the food here is incredibly affordable for about 50,000 Lao Kip which is just over $2 in US currency so you can cover all your meals for an entire day and enjoy a variety of dishes even dining at larger restaurants won't break the bank Lao Cuisine is rich in flavor with sweet
and spicy notes standing out and there's a saying among the locals if it's not spicy it's not delicious so if you're someone who loves a little heat in their food you're going to love it here would you dare to try and EG soup or are you more intrigued by the crunchy challenge of giant water bugs maybe the idea of sipping silkworm dung tea has you curious or perhaps wood soup is something you'd rather avoid what dish would you be brave enough to taste or which one would you run from let me know in the comments
below if you haven't checked out our video on what crazy things are happening in Vietnam where women are beautiful and open you're missing out on some fascinating insights into the long-standing bride kidnapping tradition of the Hong people in Vietnam but today we're shifting our Focus slightly to explore an equally captivating tradition bride kidnapping in La now I know what you might be thinking bride kidnapping that sounds intense and it is but in Laos this custom has its own unique twist unlike the Hong people in Vietnam leans follow a different approach when the harvest season is
over the Chilly Winds from the north sweep in prompting the children hurting Buffalo to burn straw to smoke out rats and keep warm across the fields the men head to the forest to gather firewood while the women bring out their looms to weave cloth and stuff catel cotton into mattresses in preparation for the Luna New Year this is also when the bride kidnapping season of the LA people begins lasting from the end of the 12th Luna month until the end of February first and most importantly the boy and girl must genuinely fall in love if
the girl isn't willing after being taken to the boy's home she has the right to refuse if she cries or protests the boy must let her go no questions asked but before any of this happens the boy's family must have a serious discussion only if everyone in the family agrees can they move forward with the plan so how does this all go down traditionally the boy Waits until late at night when everyone is asleep he signals the girl and if she's willing she quietly steps out to meet him but what if she's hesitant well in
the old days the boy would physically carry her out and if that didn't work other people would step in to help these days with motorbikes being common why not use them but just in case someone still sits behind her to make sure she doesn't escape once the girl arrives at the boy's house a room is already prepared for her then the celebrations begin chickens are caught slaughtered wine is poured and everyone celebrates the victory meanwhile the girls family may or may not may not know who took their daughter sometimes they only find out 3 days
later when the boy's family comes over with chickens and wine to officially announce the wedding then comes the big discussion family's gather drink more wine and talk about the wedding plans more chickens are slaughtered and meals are prepared for everything everyone it's a celebration that brings two families together in a unique if unconventional way after getting married in Laos the groom will follow the bride to her family's home what's special about this custom I will reveal it to you right away but before we begin I have a 10-second request for all of you if you
can help us out please hit that subscribe button it would mean a lot to us in return we promise to keep making the show even better for you deal in stark contrast to the customs of many other countries where it is often considered humiliating for the groom to live with his in-laws in those places the norm is for the bride to move into the groom's home but in lios the roles are beautifully reversed with the groom becoming a part of the bride's household even the wedding night a significant moment in any culture takes place at
the bride's home on this special day the groom DA's traditional Le ocean attire complete with a sword slung over his shoulder and a ceremonial bundle in hand this symbolic journey is shared with his family and friends who accompany him to the bride's house carrying various bedding items as gifts upon arrival an important ritual unfolds the groom steps onto a Flat Rock which is elegantly covered with banana leaves and maragold symbols of Purity and Beauty in leosan culture the bride's sister then performs the symbolic Act of washing his feet a gesture of welcome and respect while
also collecting money which is often a token of good luck for the new Union after the wedding the groom doesn't immediately risk his bride away to a new home instead he stays with her family for a period ranging from 1 to 2 years and in some cases even longer this time is often used to help the bride's family with economic development interestingly men in lios are not just expected to provide financially they also take on household duties such as cooking imagine yourself in a similar situation how would you feel about staying with your wife's family
and taking on these roles would it be a challenge or do you think it could be a rewarding experience let's discuss in the comments below while Laos is the only country in Southeast Asia that doesn't have a coastline it still offers some fascinating water Wonders that will make you rethink what it means to be landlocked first let's dive into the Nam Mangum hydroelectric Reservoir often referred to as the sea of Laos although it's not an actual sea this impressive body of water covers a massive area of about 250 square km that's nearly 100 square miles
this Reservoir completed back in 1973 is the largest freshwater body in lios dotted with thousands of islands large and small creating a breathtaking landscape that's perfect for expiration but that's not all La is also home to the world's widest waterfall K faang this natural wonders spans an incredible 10,783 M or roughly 6 and 1 half mil along the Majestic mikong River with an average water flow of 11,600 cubic m/s and sometimes peaking at an astounding 49 ,000 cubic m/s it's no wonder cone faing is a mustsee destination this waterfall is also known to have the
highest volume of water flow in all of Southeast Asia and if you're a wildlife Enthusiast the Shandon islands in the Mong River are home to something truly special the endangered AO dolphin these islands known collectively as the 4,000 Islands offer a unique chance to see these rare creatures in their natural habitat next we're diving into a mystery that has baffled scientists for centuries the Matic plane of jars in Jean Kang in Northern lios here scattered across 52 locations on the muang fan Plateau lie thousands of ancient stone jars each with its own story to tell
the largest among them measures over 8 ft in diameter and height weighing several tons about as heavy as a full-grown elephant what's even more puzzling is that most of these jars don't have lids and they come in various shapes from round to square only one jar has been found with a lid adding to the mystery of their purpose carved primarily from granite and Sandstone these jars contained quartz felbar and mic suggesting they were painstakingly crafted by ancient hands but why some archaeologists believe these jars were used to store human remains after cremation as bones and
burial items have been discovered nearby others propose they might have been used to store food or even rice wine a sort of ancient Sellar but here's the catch over oneir of this region is still littered with unexploded ordinance a deadly remnant of past conflicts this makes exploring and uncovering the secrets of these jars not just challenging but life-threatening these jars are believed to be between 1,500 and 2,000 years old likely crafted by the mon people yet this is all speculation no one knows for certain the questions remain who made these jars when exactly were they
formed and what were they used for prepare to be amazed by the drinking culture in Laos where even kids as young as 2 or three years old are seen sipping on beer with faces flushed from the alcohol in lios beer is consumed as casually as water and this isn't limited lios holds the title of the top beer consuming country in Southeast Asia with each person drinking an average of 15 lers per year beer is so deeply ingrained in the culture that it dominates the beverage Market accounting for a whopping 75% with such high consumption it's
no wonder that beao the national brand produced by the LA National Brewery Company is a household name but all this drinking comes at a cost lios has the lowest life expectancy in Southeast Asia with an average of just 65.7 years this heavy drinking culture has serious consequences in 2023 La recorded over 800,000 traffic related deaths many of which were due to alcohol consumption so while beer might flow freely in lios it's a stark reminder to drink responsibly unless you want to see those pension payments get cut down by the government in Laos coffee is often
served in small plastic bags with handles instead of paper cups or glasses as is common in many other places these bags are usually transparent allowing the rich color of the coffee to be seen leosan favor IED coffee especially the kind made with condensed milk the coffee is typically brewed in advance and sold at Street stores or small shops when purchased the seller pours the coffee into a bag adds ice and a straw making it ready for the customer to take on the go drinking coffee from a plastic bag in Laos is cost-effective making it affordable
for a wide range of people from students and laborers to office workers this has made it a popular choice in daily life drinking coffee from a bag is not just a way to quench thirst it's also a social activity people often gather share and chat while enjoying their coffee the sight of locals holding coffee bags in their hands is a familiar scene on the streets of Laos the Coffee Culture in Laos is influenced by the French Colonial period when coffee was first introduced in cultivated in the region since then coffee has become an indispensable part
of Le ocean life although plastic bags Remain the primary method for serving coffee many coffee shops in lios have begun transitioning to paper cups or more environmentally friendly materials in line with the global trend of Environmental Protection have you ever imagined being joyfully soaked head to toe in the middle of a lively Festival if that sounds like fun then lios Water Festival known as bun pime is the perfect adventure for you this incredible celebration usually spans 3 days from April 13th to 15th following the Buddhist calendar during bunp the entire Community comes together at temples
to pay their respects to Buddha the rituals include offering prayers bathing Buddha statues with fragrant water and listening to the monks teachings but the real excitement begins when everyone joins in the tradition of splashing water starting with the monks pagodas and even the surrounding trees leans don't hold back when it comes to soaking each other buckets of water fly through the air some people even wield powerful water pumps or use hoses to drench their friends and neighbors by the end of the day everyone is dripping wet and the streets are filled with laughter and joy
after the water festivities families gather for the wrist tying ceremony a beautiful gesture of respect and filial piety and yes if you're observant and a little lucky you might catch a glimpse of someone in a soaked white shirt that's become delightfully transparent however a word of caution if you're prone to to catching colds you might want to take it easy during this Festival being drenched in water repeatedly could leave you feeling under the weather but it's not just the people who get soaked houses altars livestock and even Farming tools are all dowed with water as
part of the celebration this is a festival where no one and nothing stays dry let's dive into our final topic today the rich and fascinating meanings behind the intricate motifs found on traditional La costumes these garments are not just pieces of clothing but are woven with deep cultural significance reflecting the values beliefs and legends of the LA people Lao costumes feature a variety of motifs but some of the most common include the red dragon's neck the entwined snake and the motif of a girl transforming into a bird the elephant a national symbol of lios also
frequently appears in these designs each of these motifs carries a unique story in symbolism for example the entwined snake Motif is rooted in an ancient belief it is said that witnessing two snakes entwined is a rare and Powerful sign the tradition holds that if you see this you should remove your shirt throw it over the snakes and wait for them to Slither away once they've gone retrieve the shirt and keep it when a family member is ready to marry this shirt is gifted to them believed to bring them good fortune in love ensuring a lifetime
of happiness together furthermore It is believed that Merchants who wear this shirt will be blessed with prosperity and good luck in their ventures in Lao culture when a tiger dies it must be covered with a white cloth and people mourn its death reflecting the Deep reverence for this powerful animal the weaving of tiger pattern serves as a reminder to descendants not to kill tigers as it is believed that doing so will bring Misfortune to the family for three generations in the family when someone passes away the relatives despite their grief do not cry excessively but
instead endure their sorrow with restraint if the deceased is a grandparent or parent the children and grandchildren use Young coconut water to wash the face and paper with hand and footprints for worship the body is sprinkled with fragrant water and a brightened coin is placed in the mouth by the relatives with a white thread tied around the neck wrists and ankles whether cremated or buried the body of the deceased is placed in a coffin when choosing a burial or cremation site in the cemetery low people often toss a handful of sticky rice or an egg
wherever the egg or sticky rice lands is where they will bury or cremate the body if cremation is chosen 3 days later the relatives invite family members and monks to collect the bones which are then placed in an earn jar and brought back to be placed in a stuper at the temple for easy worship if you enjoyed today's video please hit the like button and don't forget to subscribe to the channel your support means a lot to us click on the video that appears on your screen right now I'm sure you'll love this content comment
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