Under the light of kabong
Before the widespread use of electricity in Laos in the years 1980-1990, it was under the light of the torch-Kabong made of wood resin mixed with benzoyl – that young people exchanged their deep feelings, but in half words, due to the presence of a family member, and using countless floral metaphors.
– In your gardens, you have the most beautiful roses of the village and mom would like to have a cutting…
« My mother would be very happy to do so, but she is afraid that our rose is not a good enough strain. »
These love conversations were made sometimes in alternated singings or lam and accompanied with Mo-Khène (a player of khène). A more professional version of these love course is proposed during a boun (party) or family ceremonies such as a marriage, a welcome ceremony to a new born baby and his mom, a birthday etc. with a couple of morlams. Without any text, the man and the woman, very talented and endowed with a particular talent called or–nam-lay (ອໍ້ນໍ້າໄຫລ), are engaged in a verbal joust which can last a whole night. The lam or singing conversations, which respect quite strict versification codes, can sometimes touch the vulgar especially when it is about sex, but it also happens that they are of a very high linguistic level brought up with metaphors, hyperbolas and images. Some morlam has become real stars because of their exceptional vocal quality.