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All Laos Ban Napia Spoon Village
Gastro Obscura

Spoon Village

Heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, this small town turns unexploded munitions into utensils.

Ban Napia, Laos

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siewch
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When the melted aluminum solidifies inside the wooden mold, the spoon maker pries it open, and removes the spoon.   Siewch (Atlas Obscura User)
When the melted aluminum solidifies inside the wooden mold, the spoon maker pries it open, and removes the spoon.   Siewch (Atlas Obscura User)
Some of the unexploded ordnance to be melted down.   Siewch (Atlas Obscura User)
The final product.   Siewch (Atlas Obscura User)
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About

The United States never formally declared war on Laos, but they still dropped more than 270 million cluster bombs on the country during the Vietnam War era. It is estimated that one-third of these did not explode. Nearly 50 years later, people in Laos are still killed or maimed when they encounter unexploded bombs or "ordnance" (UXO). These munitions also keep much of Laos in poverty because clearing land for agriculture or development is hazardous. Children are killed or injured when they mistake UXO for toys. Even the simple act of lighting a fire to cook a meal can set off a weapon buried underneath.

The northeastern province of Xieng-Khouang was one of the most heavily bombed areas of Laos, and it is littered with unexploded munitions. Some residents in the village of Ban Napia have turned this problem into a curious and hazardous occupation: They collect UXO, melt it down in a kiln, and fashion it into spoons and other household items using wooden molds.

Villagers in Ban Napia, also known as "Spoon Village," have made the utensils across decades and generations. The work has not been without its hazards, though: People have been killed collecting and processing the UXO. But for many, the reward is worth the risk, as the trade brings much-needed income to the impoverished region.

Related Tags

Curious Kitchenware Tools War Fare

Know Before You Go

Most day tours to Xieng-Khouang's Plain of Jars archaeological site include a stop at the Spoon Village.

Community Contributors

Added By

siewch

Published

April 25, 2018

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Sources
  • http://narrative.ly/the-village-that-turns-bombs-into-spoons/
  • https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/mar/31/turning-bombs-into-spoons-after-the-us-war-on-laos
  • https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vietnamwar-laos-bombs-idUSKCN11B1JX
  • http://legaciesofwar.org/resources/books-documents/land-of-a-million-bombs/
Spoon Village
Ban Napia
Laos
19.280842, 103.098926

Nearby Places

Plain of Jars

Phonsavan, Laos

miles away

Craters Restaurant

Phonsavan, Laos

miles away

Wat Phia Wat

Muang Khoun, Laos

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Laos

Laos

Asia

Places 24
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Plain of Jars

Phonsavan, Laos

miles away

Craters Restaurant

Phonsavan, Laos

miles away

Wat Phia Wat

Muang Khoun, Laos

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Laos

Laos

Asia

Places 24
Stories 5

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