Lao dance, masks and the khaen

A national epic on stage

Phra Lak Phra Ram is the national epic of the Lao people, an adaptation of the ancient Indian Ramayana. In Laos it lost its association with Hinduism and is considered a Jataka tale, a previous lifetime of the Buddha. It is a mainstay of dance and drama, song, painting, sculpture, religious texts and manuscripts. Through its Buddhist elements, Lao beliefs of morality and karma are re-affirmed.

Dance-drama at court

Lao culture has always been oral and visual, and oral tales were often codified into elaborate dance-dramas by the royal courts. Great influence in dance came from Khmer, Thai and even Javanese culture, with a slight native flair. Scenes from court dancers were performed at Lao New Year celebrations and other Buddhist holidays, which is why the epic is more familiar to Lao audiences than any single production. In the epic's name, Phra Lak comes first, and veteran dance performers of Luang Prabang say this is in deference to his voluntary assistance of Phra Ram.

The royal dancers

A photograph taken in 1957 shows young royal dancers in ceremonial dress, with tall pointed crowns and brocade. Its caption notes that the royal dancers have traditionally come from the village of Ban Phanom, near the Luang Prabang airport. The photograph is a reminder that court dance in Luang Prabang had its own families and villages long before it reached a theatre stage. The photograph comes from a collection held by the University of Wisconsin library and is in the public domain.

Masks at Lao New Year

Lao New Year falls in mid-April, and celebrations in towns such as Luang Prabang can last more than a week. A parade there includes performers in gold crowns and painted masks. Water is used to clean homes and Buddha images and to bless monks, and younger people pour it on elders first. The festival is the best time to see masks and costumes in the street and not on a stage. Lao New Year takes place in April, the hottest time of the year in Laos.

The khaen

The khaen is a free-reed mouth organ from Laos. Its bamboo pipes connect to a small hardwood chamber that the player blows into. It is Laos' national instrument, and its music is an integral part of Lao life that promotes family and social cohesion. It often accompanies mor lam singing. UNESCO inscribed the khaen in 2017 as Khaen music of the Lao people.

Where Buddha's Light sits

Buddha's Light is a stage show of dance, music, drama, light and imagery, drawing on Buddhist classics, Laotian folklore and intangible cultural heritage. It is a different thing from the classical epic, and it adds light and imagery to the stage. The show's own music is not described in detail, so do not expect any particular instrument. The booking guide covers the tickets.

Read next: Buddha's Light show: tickets and areas

Where to see the epic

Wikivoyage lists a Royal Ballet Theatre in Luang Prabang that stages one part of Phra Lak Phra Ram on set evenings of the week. Check the theatre's own listings for current dates. For the epic's festival form, Lao New Year in April is the time. A visitor with two evenings could use one for each, since the two performances are different kinds of stage work.

• Buddha's Light: Buddhist teaching with light and imagery.
• Royal Ballet Theatre: a part of the Lao epic in dance.