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| CONTEMPORARY ISSUES SOULIVONG SAVANG: PORTRAIT OF A LAOTIAN PRINCE IN EXILE Kao-Ly Yang Ph.D. The following text has been written after an interview with the Prince Soulivong Savang in July 2001. At that time, he was invited by the Hmong Minnesota Community to commemorate the deaths during wars in the last three decades in Laos by accomplishing the Lao ceremony Phitee. He was with his aunt and uncle Ciao Sauriyavong Savang who are from France as well. Going down from the line of King FaNgum (1353-1373) of Laos, Soulivong Savang is the elder grandson of Sri Savang Vatthana, late king of the Kingdom of the "White Parasol and the million elephants" or --in Lao language --"Lane Xang", bordered by Vietnam, China, Burma, Thailand and Cambodia. Tall and quiet, he has inherited his grandfather's physical appearance. He is 38 years old. Twenty-six years after being separated from his parents and his country, the prince lives in France. After 4 years of studying law at the university of Clermont-Ferrand, he pursued at the "Institut Britannique de Paris". Prince Soulivong Savang is a good dancer, singer and musician. Music has a special place in his life: he loves Lao songs, and adores playing Lao violin. His favor song is "Nonsaur Nangum" (The Girl of the River Nangum). It was in May 1975 that the prince's family surrendered to the Laotian communist party. By this decision, the late king and his family had been captured in concentration camps in the Samneua province. Many of them had died. As the elder grandson, His Majesty the Prince did escape with his young brother in swimming across the Mekong River to Thailand. He was just 18 years old. Sharing the calm and merry character of the Lao people, Prince Soulivong Savang has a tranquil and charming personality. With such a perfect look, why is he still single? Does the Royal Laotian family have special plans of wedding for the heir of the lost throne? Whatsoever, he is an orphan, not only of parents but also of country. His pleasant appearance definitively hides pains and incertitude of a man whose roles and duties would be prince. Consciously supported by the Royal family in exile, he took any opportunity to talk more about the political regime in the Democratic Republic Popular of Lao. He said preoccupied by the development of his country and by the restoration of a "real democracy" for the 48 ethnic groups in Laos. He is aware that each group, Hmong or Lao, must preserve its language and its culture; all the cultures constitute the Laotian legacy and identity. Symbol of the past and of a centralized power, is he however capable to offer a real democracy? Prince Soulivong Savang definitively showed political ambitions. He dutifully fulfills his role of crown prince in exile in taking part in any cultural events of the Laotian community in France and overseas in the United States. If the crown prince Soulivong Savang had one wish to say, it would be to see carrying out prosperity and freedom for the Laotian people. He seems to be a fine politician capable of commitment and strategies. But more than 30 years of communist regime have modified the country; deaths are deaths, past remains irreversible. Wars and ideologies have divided the Laotian Nation in two fractions. Time has passed. Could even a royal symbol reconcile the various political parties in exile and install a human dialog of acceptance between them and the new regime in Laos? Buddhism, advocating compassion, seems an important spiritual tool that could help all to follow the Middle Way of understanding and forgiveness. As for the Prince, when will be the time of peace where Laos will open its door to all its children, even a former prince who would like to come home, walking on the soil of his ancestors? Only time will reveal more. Copyrights © 2003 Kao-Ly Yang All rights reserved |
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| TOPICS OF 2005 February 21, 2005 "4 sab phab ntsa": Randy Travis "4 murs" Randy Travis 4 Walls",Randy Travis March 9, 2005: Guest writer: Chris Lee Kev txo yus tus kheej txoj sia: tub ntxhais hluas kev nyuab siab Essai sur les causes de suicide chez les adolescents hmong Essay on Hmong teenagers' suicide March 27, 2005 Kho Hmoob kev tsim karaoke Critique sur le karaoke hmong Criticism on Hmong Karaoke March 28, 2005 Koom Haum Hmoob Thaib Association de développement chez les Hmong en Thailand Hmong Association for Developement in Thailand March 28. 2005 Huab tais Nplog tus Tub Xeeb Ntxwv Kev Npau Suav Les espoirts du petit-fils du roi du Laos Laotian Prince Soulivong Savang's Hope March 28, 2005 Huab Tais tus Tub xeev ntxwv ua "Phibthi" rau cov tub rog tuag La commémoration des soldats et civils mort durant la guerre secrète au Laos The Commemoration of deaths during the "Secret War" in Laos March 29, 2005 Kev toob kas noj mov zaub tseem tseem Le besoin de manger organic The need of organic food April 4, 2005 Ua li cas ib tug zaj thiaj plhis tau mus ua Huab Tais ntxhais nkauj ntxawm La peur des adolescents: comment un dragon peut-il devenir une princesse? Teenager's fear: How could a dragon become a princess? April 9, 2005: Guest writer: Paj Nyiag Xyooj Nws yog pes tsawg ne ... Hmoob tus me nqi tshoob Essai sur la problématique du prix de fiancée Voicing the Bride Price in Hmong Weddings April 25, 2005 Nkag siab rau lub neej laus nyob teb chaws vam meej Comprendre le 3ième age chez les Hmong Understanding the New Old Age in Hmong Community May 7, 2005 Txheej txheem tshawb fawb Méthodes de recherche: la contribution des recherches issues du groupe. L'expérience d'un ethnologue d'origine hmong Research Methods: the contribution of native researchers. The experiences of an Ethnologist of Hmong origin August 8, 2005 Kev thim xav txog tus nqi tshoob Critique sur le prix de fiancée Criticism on the Bride Price Sij Hawm liv xwv keeb kwm ua neej Chronologie historique des Hmong Hmong American Timeline December 18, 2005 Tus tsov: yog tsiaj los sis yog dab. Le tigre: est-ce un animal ou un mauvais esprit? The Tiger: is it an animal or a bad spirit? |