“LAM SOM” THE ORIGIN OF LAM SIPANDON IN THE LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Abstract

This research study is a part of the study in The Vocal Music in Southern Laos. The objectives were to 1) study the musical composition of Lam Som and Lam Sipandon 2) study the social roles of Morlam (the singer) in the southern region of Laos. The qualitative research method revealed that Lam Som, presently only serves as a transition between other Lam genres, is the oldest lam genre. Lam Som is accompanied only by a Khaen, which plays on a slow single main melody. The colorful and distinctive sound of Lam Som is derived from Klonlam (the prosodic poem) and the singing technique declaimed by Morlam. Later, Lam Som has developed into Lam Sipandon that sang in a brief poetic passage in melismatic technique. Like Lam Som, Lam Sipandon is accompanied by Khaen, which plays in a moderate tempo that melodically descends from high or middle to a low note. Lam Sipandon has gained more popularity over Lam Som through social changing. However, both genres of Lam still play essential roles in several aspects of Laos’ culture and society, such as entertainment, religion and morality, communication, education, and national and political unity.