The Bolaven Plateau - Part 2 Three waterfalls & a Village

The Bolaven Plateau was not just about the coffee but also the waterfalls and ethnic village- ok it was mainly about the coffee.

We visited Tat Fan,




Phasoume Resort,




& Tat Lo.




However it was the visit to a Suay tribe village which stands out. The Suay's are animistic-shamanistic. They believe that once they die, they return in spirit form. They build there coffins when they are alive; They are left opened under there houses; When they get ill, they climb into the coffin until they feel better or they are then buried in them. They seek out there witch doctor for advise if ill etc. The solution tends to be a sacrifice of a bull to appease the spirits.

The live in familly groups, a large house with a satellite dish. This had a been a common theme of my travels through Laos. Irrespective of their situation, most houses have a satelite dish.


The tribe have suffered. They were relocated to the Plateau by the government. They where self sufficient. Now they cannot grow rice on the plateau. They must grow enough coffee to be able to purchase rice.

As we toured the village, I felt like a voyeur. Intruding on their daily life for our entertainment. i left with an uneasy feeling.