| put all pictures into basket | slideview | tableview | listview |
The Ethnic Group of Lanten by Mario Weigt
Approximately 4000 Lanten live in the Northwest of Laos, close to Luang Namtha and Muang Sing. The nature-loving people settle predominantly on the rivers, therefore Laotians of the rivers (Lao Huay) also are named. They live by fishing, cultivate rice, collect bamboo shoots in the forest, fruits and herbs, breed pigs and produce their clothing themselves. Characteristic of their clothing is the pink-coloured tie of the women. The Lanten are known for the production of bamboo paper that they use for religious purposes and to packing opium. The natural habitat of the Lanten is threatened. Within the project " Planting Project of Replacing Poppy ", supported from China, the Lanten get hilly land from the Laotian government to clear completely and to cultivate of rubber plants for the Chinese market. The Lanten have to pay seventy percent of the profit as lease. Currently, the Chinese pay eight Yuan (approximately 0,80 Euro) for one kilo of rubber. But the price will goes down essentially because more and more rubber plantations arise in the next years.
