She is nine. It is time to get her back to her roots and reconnect her to the grace and beauty of Laos. My child, who refuses to learn Lao, just had enough of my cajoling and retorts, “No one speaks Lao where we live, Mom!” The discovery of hundreds of Laotians living in Connecticut and Rhode Island prompted me to pack our car and go on the road to reconnect with and learn from this Laotian community.

After meeting hundreds of Laotians from New York, California, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Iowa and Tennessee in a span of over 30 years, I have concluded that we continue to be a diaspora of people and culture with each ethnic group preserving their own culture under the greater umbrella of the Laotian culture. There are over 60 Laotian ethnic groups with the Hmong, Iu-Mien, Khmu, Lahu, Lao, Tai Lue, Phu Tai, Tai Dam, Tai Phuan groups being represented here in the US. Adding another layer to the diversity, we have Laotians in New York, Texas, North Carolina and Idaho each having their own regional accents.

We are aerospace engineers, students, the homeless, artists, plumbers, cooks, nurses, polyglots, teachers, doctors and writers. We have black, brown and green eyes; we are yellow, brown, black and white. We are the complexity and beauty of human beings who all happen to have a connection to Laos, a country known for its sticky rice and the khaen.

Our trip took us to Rhode Island for the July 28-29 Festival. Action was everywhere by noon at the Wat Lao Buddhovath of Rhode Island.

(Photo by Thongkhoun Pathana)

The Wat Lao Buddhovath is located in Smithfield and is currently undergoing construction for the Lao Community Center of Rhode Island (LCCRI). The LCCRI is a non profit branch of the Wat Lao Buddhovath and has as its mission to providing a Sunday school for language and dance classes and other activities for senior residents, young adult groups, women’s association and sports teams. LCCRI also provides a source for local and national scholarship fund (LCCSF) for Laotian students. Another Wat Lao is located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Most families settled in Rhode Island came from Viengchanh and Xieng Khouang.

(Photo by Thongkhoun Pathana)

From left to right are Khamla Tik Nirandon, Coordinator of LCCRI, James Pongsa, Public Relations of LCCRI and Thongkhoun Pathana, President of LCCRI. These fabulous young adults are part of the backbone for LCCRI. For more information, visit www.lccri.org.

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

Volunteers setting up the volleyball net.

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

Laotian and Cambodian teams competed in a volleyball tournament. Praseuth Vongphachanh, LCCRI’s Boston Chapter Representative and LCCRI’s webmaster, is refereeing in this picture. Heads up!

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

Kids enjoyed being part of a colorful fashion show.

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

Next, we go on to a picnic in Hammonasset Beach in Madison, Connecticut. The Hammonasset Beach is part of the Connecticut State Parks. There is a nominal entry fee for Connecticut license holders and a little bit more for out-of-state residents. This lovely area is the setting for the yearly picnic for the coalition of Laotian American organizations based in Connecticut, including the Lao Association of Connecticut based in Hartford, Connecticut and the Lao Shoreline Community. Most Laotians in Connecticut came from Luang Prabang.

The tables were covered with food and khao nieo. My fingers were warmed as I rolled the sticky rice in my hands and took in the sweet and pungent aromas of the foods.

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

The multi-generational gathering provided all ages a look at the growth of the young ones, the wisdom of the elderly and the experiences of the adults.

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

A nine-year-old Laotian American soccer star from Connecticut practicing.

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

Thanongchith Souriyamath of the Lao Shoreline Community proudly showing off his xang sam houa tattoo.

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

The Hammonasset Beach provided us with many hours of pleasure and fun, well-filled tummies and friendships as exhibited by eight-year-old Suzanne from California and nine-year-old Madeline from New Jersey making their way to the beach just over the sand dunes.

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

We rested in the warm wet sand, a mini-exfoliating process in nature, while mom took a breather looking out towards the Long Island Sound in the mist.
(Photos by Dara Stieglitz)

The smiles and hugs say it all.

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

An example of public service at its best as Howard Phengsomphone and the ladies shared a moment of laughter as they discuss the health concerns and issues affecting Laotian Americans in Connecticut with Catie Talarski of “Where We Live” on WNPR of Connecticut Public Radio. Discussion also centered on advocating for Laotian Americans regarding hepatitis B virus (HBV), education, immigration, Vote 2008, and Census 2010 with Dara Stieglitz and Howard Phengsomphone, both board members of the Laotian American National Alliance.
(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

There were warmth, laughter, gentleness of thoughts and words shared between generations.

(Photo by Dara Stieglitz)

The unplanned time together provided us with many wonderful surprises and connections. Who knows where the Lan Xang road will lead us next as we continue to discover Laotian Americans. Khob chai lai lai. Pho kan mai (Thank you very much. Until we meet again).