Sharing a Laotian state of mind
Prince shows his traditional embroidery to let young people see what's possible

By JOHN IWASAKI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
Saturday, January 10, 2004
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/156119_laotian10.html?source=rss

He was, he admitted, "rambunctious," a characteristic that got him dispatched in the summers to his grandmother's home in Luang Prabang, once the royal capital.

From the time Somsanith was 6, his grandmother put him to work as an apprentice in gold-thread embroidery, a traditional art of the court that is rarely seen by outsiders. Although the practice is reserved for women, over the years he became skilled in the intricate, even spiritual practice of merging shimmering thread and deep-hued silk into luminous creations.

Since the fall of the monarchy in 1975, only about 10 Laotians from Luang Prabang continue to carry on the art. One is Somsanith, 45, who is in the midst of his first trip to the United States, invited by the Seattle-area Laotian community to exhibit and demonstrate his works this weekend.

He particularly wants to raise interest among young Laotians, passing on not only art but the Laotian state of mind.

"This particular work teaches you to look at time differently. Instead of linear time, it's more of a cycle," Somsanith said, putting down his needle for a moment. "If you look at this work as something you want to finish, it'd be hard to achieve. ...

"So you look at it more as a hobby, to give you joy and pleasure. It is meditative work."

The embroidered robes, collars, triangular pillows and fans, with ornate patterns featuring golden dragons, birds and butterflies on red, purple and white backgrounds, were originally designed for use by royalty and are found today in Buddhist temples.

"It has a very deep meaning," said Pom Khampradith, a Des Moines resident who is active in the local Laotian community and helped arrange Somsanith's visit. "Every design, every color in his work has meaning. He's interested in promoting that in the younger generation, so it doesn't look too untouchable or unreachable."

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Khampradith teaches traditional Laotian dance to local high school and college students. The group will perform tomorrow at a public reception for Somsanith in Bellevue.

Several dancers are officers in the Laotian Student Association, known as LSA, at the University of Washington. None had known about Somsanith before he came to Seattle.

That alone is "probably a good reason (why) I became part of LSA; I'm learning about my own culture," said Cindy Menorath, 22, a geography major.

Among younger Laotians, "many of us were born in America -- or have become Americanized -- and don't have the same connection with the Laotian culture," said fellow senior Tony Phongsavath, 22, a business major.

Veda Sonexaysana, co-president with Phongsavath of the Laotian Student Association, was born in Seattle to immigrant parents, whereas most other LSA members are natives of Laos.

"Before I learned dancing, I didn't have a sense of what being a Laotian was," said Sonexaysana, 22, a business major and senior. "I mean, I ate the food and practiced some traditions. Now, with dancing and reaching out to the community, it gives me a better sense of who I am and where my parents came from."

Somsanith knows something about spanning generations. His maternal grandfather was the last viceroy of Laos, charged with protecting the country's culture and tradition, including gold-thread embroidery. He moved to Orleans, France, in 1985 and works as a mental health professional.

"A lot of the younger generation ask, 'What does it mean to be Laotian, (whether) Laotian American or Laotian French?' " he said.

Somsanith doesn't have a direct answer for them, but notes that Laos has been influenced by China, India and Malaysia in culture and tradition. In addition, Laos is home to 64 ethnic groups.

"It's like asking, 'What's the American identity?' " he said.

About 8,000 Laotians live in Washington, according to the 2000 Census. Nearly two-thirds are younger than 35.

"The first wave of exiles came very shortly after (the Communists seized power in) 1975, but the majority of refugees in the Seattle area came in the early '80s," Khampradith said.

Washingtonians know about Vietnam because of the war, she said, and Cambodia because of the "killing fields."

"Laos' history is not as traumatic, though we were part of that," Khampradith said. "A lot of times Laotians won't necessarily tell you what happened to them. So that's why we need to show our culture and tradition, to bring that out in them."