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Kou Yang, a professor emeritus of ethnic studies at California State University, Stanislaus, is also originally from the area of Sayaboury, Laos, and recently published his latest book on the history and impact of the region on the Hmong world.
Sayaboury, the territory taken back from victory, is the only province of Laos totally situated west of the Mekong River. The name Sayaboury can be divided into two parts: Saya and Boury. Saya is derived from 'jaya' in Sanskrit - meaning Victory and Boury is derived from the Sanskrit word, Puri or Pura meaning city, state or territory. It has a long history of diverse people and rich cultural heritage with fertile agricultural lands full of various flora and fauna. Because of these characteristics, almost every mountain, cave, natural wonder, and village has its own set of folk stories or legends, adding humanity, spirituality, mystery and supernatural elements to th.s land. The indigenous people of Sayaboury, such as the Khmu, Phay and Tong Leuang, have lived in this land for at least 10,000 years, and the famous and venerated Phra That Xieng Lorn...