For reference:
The **** Oral Tradition: Cultural Memory in the Absence of Written Language: Yer J. Thao: 9780786427499: Amazon.com: Books
Book Description
Publication Date: October 27, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0786427493 | ISBN-13: 978-0786427499
In 1975, after years of struggle, Communists seized control of the government of Laos. Members of the **** culture who had helped the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in their quest to halt the spread of Communism were forced to move to America as political refugees. The ****, with their strong culture of oral traditions and beliefs, were plunged into a multicultural society where the written word was prevalent. As a result, their oral customs are now being slowly eroded and replaced with a written tradition. Desperate to hold on to their cultural identity and continue the traditions of their ancestors, the **** still struggle with the dilemma this change in literary perception has caused. Compiled from numerous interviews, this volume explores the lives of 13 **** elders. With emphasis on their unique oral tradition and cultural practices, the book discusses **** rituals, tribal customs, religious beliefs and educational experiences. The main focus of the work, however, is the lifestyle the elders maintained while living in the mountains of Laos. In their own words, they describe their childhood, communities, religious rituals and cultural traditions as well as the ongoing struggle of adjustment to their new homeland. The work also delves into the **** perceptions of industrialization and the generational conflict that immersion into a literate society has caused. The author himself is a member of the **** culture and brings a personal perspective to preserving the oral traditions of this unique ethnicity. The work is also indexed.