Review Article: The Writing of Lao Historical Biographies: A Study from Documents dated from 1975 - 2010

Abstract

This study focuses on the writing of the Lao historical biographies during 1975 to present (2010) by mainly analyzing Lao documents. It found that most Lao historical biographies focused on those taking leadership roles in the revolution of Lao PDR. The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the Lao government played major roles in producing these writings. However, the study found that many people who had participated in the revolution at various levels had started to write and publish their autobiographies. Based on content analysis, biographies written during 1986 - present can be classified into three groups: firstly, writings on the Great Kings of the Laos๛s monarchical period, secondly writings on the 1975 revolution leaders and the head of the state, and thirdly writings on Lao revolutionists.