Lamed

History of Lamet Tribe in oudomxay Province

Lamet is a tribe that has been living in Ouodmxay Province for thousand years and no one knows or has no clue about the background or the past immigration of Lamet people. The population of Lamet people in Oudomxay is 148 people – 54 Females based on the statistic collected in 2011. Lamet tribe has no certain village, as they live with other ethnic people.

The name Lamet has been calling for a long time and it’s the name that they love, but no one knows the meaning clearly.

They have their own speaking language which is totally different from others. Lamet people still don’t have writing alphabet. The majority of Lamet people believe, trust and worship their own ancestors as well as others, for instance, spirit(ghost) of the village, spirit (Ghost) of the house and others.

The father is the key person of the family surname and the son has to follow it or keep it up. The son is very important for the family and he is the one who will surely replace his father’s position. Men are the most powerful in solving problems in the family or outside. Lamet people believe to have only one husband and one wife, as it important to be a good example for others. There are 2 types of Lamet clan: animal type and Vegetable type.

The house of Lamet people will be divided into 2 main rooms “Bedroom and Kitchen”. But there is sleeping place for their guests or visitors. Visitors are not allowed to enter the bedroom without having permission. There is always an altar at the main middle pot of the house.

Each birth of a new born baby is said to be sent to this world by heaven. The birth takes place in the couple’s bedroom and no one but the midwife or husband can be present to assist in her delivery. In the past, a married woman was not allowed to give birth at her parent’s house, but at her husband’s house or her husband’s parent’s house. Some experienced women will do their own delivery by themselves sometime at home, garden and farm.

To have a proper funeral is of great importance to the Lamet people, for as a result the soul will prosper in the afterworld. There are many steps for organizing the funeral and many tasks related to the funeral are assigned by many groups who are in charge of the funeral duties. Many sacrificial animals like pig, buffalo, cattle and chicken are killed for the dead. The corpse is always buried at the village cemetery or somewhere appropriate.