what is Laotian literature?

The literature of Laos was oral for the greater part of its history. The most typical form is  the epic poem, often referring to important events in Lao history. One of them is   the Pha Lak Pha Lam, a Lao epic poem that was first written down in the 17th century. Yet another genre is the folk tale, often accompanied by music or dance.  Medieval written literature is predominantly connected with Buddhism. Presumably, the oldest text written in Lao script is  the 13th- century Inscription of Sukhothai containing religious teachings and prayers, named after the city in today's Thailand where it was found in the 19th century. Materially, this early literature is a collection of palm leaf manuscripts. Along with Lao script, many of them are written in the  classical Buddhist tongue, Pali.
The modern literature of Laos often deals with the tumultuous political history of the country. The most important contemporary writers are Bounpanh Phommavong, Kongdeuane Nettavong, and Dara Viravong. Among the most widely read books written by those writers, one that is worth a mention is Sao Khue by Bounpanh Phommavong, a novel that explores the relationship between a young Lao woman and a French soldier during the colonial era.


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