Experience the renaissance of Lao Arts at 'The House of Puang Champa'

Prince Somsanith devotes most of his time to pass on the artistic heritage of Luang Prabang

Prince Nithakhong Somsanith is not your typical prince. He is one of the last gold thread embroiderers in the ancient tradition of the court of Luang Prabang, former kingdom of Laos. This art and its techniques used to be passed on from one generation to the next, from mother to daughter of noble birth. Prince Somsanith started his apprenticeship at an early age from his grandmother, with whom he spent time during hot summer days. It was there that he was introduced to and helped with intricate and tedious embroidery tasks.

Prince Nithakhong Somsanith was born in Luang Prabang, the former royal capital city of Laos, one of the 730 World Heritage sites. Prince Somsanith graduated from the National School of Medicine in Vientiane, Laos, before leaving his homeland in 1985 to continue his higher education in France. He received his Master's degree from the Institute of Visual Arts in L'Universite d'Orlean, and his Ph.D. in Psychology from L'Universite de Sorbonne. He has made France his adopted home, and pursued a career in mental health counseling in Orleans until summer of 2003. He now devotes his time predominantly to his art.

Puang Champa dancers - Under the Prince's tutelage, each female dancer has made her own accoutrements!

Though he has been occupied with other aspects of life, Prince Somsanith has held on to his childhood memories; he has deep passion for Lao folk arts. He is a self-taught folk artist and feels it is a special gift that has been passed on to him from many generations. He spends countless hours painting the sceneries of Laos, gently carves woods, and creates traditional crafts. He especially devotes most of his time to the very fine art of gold thread embroidery of the royal Lao palace, with precise and calculated stitches and movements, giving life to collars, skirts, pillows and many other religious objects.

Prince Somsanith is an internationally known embroidery artist. In the last ten years he has exhibited his works in Germany, England, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands. He continues to show his arts and crafts in France. Today, his works are well accepted and recognized by the French cultural society.

Puang Champa is an organization to educate Lao youth in traditional arts and culture

But to Prince Somsanith, it is not a question of technique, of usage, or even of monetary value. This art is the fragile thread that ties him to the land of his ancestors. It has a cultural importance, a spiritual implication, and an intrinsic meaning. Today, he fears it has lost its inherent value in place of commercialism - the art has become a manufacturing process.

In an effort to promote Luang prabang arts he has founded 'The House of Puang Champa'. The House of Puang Champa is an organization to educate Lao youth in traditional arts and culture. The dancers and musicians all study at the House alongside aging masters from the local community. The Puang Champa project is to preserve, promote, and transmit the cultural and artistic heritage of Luang Prabang through gold thread embroidery. While he knows the House of Puang Champa will be a part of the rapid economic and tourism development of Laos, he is committed to remaining fully immersed in artistry and creativity.

Special visitors can enjoy a private show of several traditional dances and get a first hand look at the intricately embroidered costumes. Under the Prince's tutelage, each female dancer has made her own accoutrements! After a performance, you may even be lucky enough to go upstairs into the Prince's house, and participate in a Baci Ceremony - a Lao blessing ceremony for people going on or coming from a long journey

Special visitors can enjoy a Baci Baci Ceremony - a Lao blessing ceremony for people on a long journey

About Puang Champa

The House of Puang Champa has the following goals:

Over the past couple of years, Puang Champa has grown to over 30 musicians, dancers, and craftsmen spanning over three generations. The group performs locally at weddings, festivals, and private parties. They traveled to Montoire, France in July and August of 2005 to participate in an international folk life festival funded by the Organization for International Folk Festival (CIOFF).

The future of Luang Prabang is intricately linked to the proper management of this opportunity and it is therefore imperative that it leads to lasting development.

For more information on specialized travel services that encourage and patronize the Lao arts please contact:

North by North East Travel Services
Tel: +66 (0) 4251 3572
Fax:+66 (0) 4251 3573
e-mail: info@ north-by-north-east.com
Web site: www.north-by-north-east.com