Lao Voices

2 Responses to “ Si Phan Don Laos ”

1. 
   Dallas Apr 18th, 2008 at 9:37 am

   I always thought Si Phan Don is referring to four thousand islands. But I  also read somewhere it is not that.  Anyone have a clue?
   Lao people have a fascination with number like Lan Xang, Lan Na, and Xipsong Panna that was my conclusion.

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2. 
   Ginger Apr 18th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

   I’m not sure Dallas, originally I think it’s called Si Thun Don, which is a province in that area, and then I think people just keep calling it until now it’s called Si Phun Don or 4 Thousand Islands, as we all know that we don’t have 4000 islands, but we’ve many small islands in that area. As for Lan Xang, a land of million elephants, my mom told me that it’s called that because 1 million elephants were killed at Norn Bornt (wiggle worms swamp), and now it’s called Nong Born (Born ‘plant’ Lake), so I think people change the name to make it sounds good, or easy to remember. Lan Na, or 1 million rice paddies made me think of Thai Lanna or Chiang Mai, Thailand people, I didn’t know we also have Lan Na. I’ve never heard of Xipsong Panna, but I’ve heard of Xipsong Punsa meaning 12 years.

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