The Spirit of Collective Cleaning in Laos: Ǫkhǣngngān as Labor and Play

Eight o’clock, 14 July 2024

I arrived at the office of Ajan Mala, a teacher at a Public Health School in southern Laos. Grabbing brooms, buckets, sponges, and floor cleaner, we walked towards the student dorm. As we approached, Ajan Mala spotted people in the distance and yelled, “Students, come and help clean Amelie’s room!” Her commanding tone made me uncomfortable, as I didn’t wish to force anyone into cleaning my room. However, when she turned around, smiled, and said it was just “a game between teachers and students,” I felt a sense of relief and understanding. She emphasized there was “midtaphāb” (friendship) between them.

The Cleaning Rush

At the dormitory, Ajan Mala unlocked the door to my room-to-be. Fifteen adults suddenly appeared, pulling out brooms, opening all windows and doors, and even carrying out beds and wardrobes. She instructed me to dust the cobwebs from the wardrobes while they tackled the room’s interior and bathroom.

I felt overwhelmed by the rush and chaotic action. People were sweeping, students were linking green rubber hoses to a tap, flooding the tiled floors, and others were slashing plants with machetes. Despite the sudden water gushing towards the furniture, I moved it away with the help of a student, grateful to avoid water damage to the untreated timber. This bustling scene included the school director, dressed in a tracksuit and sun hat, who filmed the scene and kicked snails off the corridor walls. Other teachers picked plants and carried them home, while Ajan Mala scrubbed the walls and a colleague mopped the floor. The atmosphere was lively, with people chatting, joking, and working together efficiently to clean the place.

The End of a Labour Session

As quickly as it started, the action ceased. Students and teachers began to leave, and I joined them, offering biscuits as thanks. They shared and disappeared, leaving me to do a final cleaning with a bucket of water-vinegar mix and a sponge. The thorough scrubbing of each tile gave me a sense of gratitude. However, it also highlighted that these individuals were accustomed to this kind of collective effort, more than to cleaning a visiting anthropologist’s room.

Collective Cleaning as Labour: Ǫkhǣngngān

Cleaning together is a standard practice of collective, physical labor in Laos, known as ǫkhǣngngān (ອອກແຮງງານ). Initially mistaking it for “workout,” I soon learned it meant “tidy up.” This routine activity is scheduled weekly, typically on a Thursday or Friday afternoon, with a senior staff member determining the task and students and teachers signing lists of attendance.

The Institutional Character of ǫkhǣngngān

The organized, institutional character of this labor is evident in several ways. Sessions are public and often photographed for social media or national celebrations, highlighting the importance of these activities in fostering a clean and cohesive environment. For instance, photos of government buildings, military schools, and public parks reflect the emphasis on collective effort within state-run institutions.

Labour Beyond the Surface

While ǫkhǣngngān is structured, everyday practices of working together at the school evolve based on individuals’ needs. Daily activities, such as climbing chairs to reach tamarind pods, peeling bamboo shoots, and cooking on the classroom floor, are spontaneous and self-organized. These practices occur out of view from school staff and do not require formal organization.

The significance of ǫkhǣngngān extends beyond just tidying shared spaces. It reflects a deeper ideological framework linked to Marxist-Leninist values of collective labor and social cohesion. A schoolbook on “Civic Education” for Year 5 students emphasizes that labor is a generative power that creates people and society. This labor is seen as natural and essential for survival, emphasizing the social role of these activities in building a collective identity.

Labour as Play: The Enactment of Ideology

Interpreting ǫkhǣngngān through the lens of labor as generative power, it becomes clear that this practice is more than just a cleaning routine. It enacts socialist ideals of collective effort and shared responsibilities. The playful aspect of ǫkhǣngngān—students joking, laughing, and breaking into dance routines—sits alongside the structured elements, creating a unique space where both ideology and enjoyment coexist.

The temporality of ǫkhǣngngān is fluid, with the specific beginning and end determined by participants. Participants may adjust their arrival times, gather equipment, and end the session when they feel it is complete, often influenced by personal energy levels and motivations. Despite its messiness, the act of coming together and working collectively remains central to its essence.

Shared Benefits of ǫkhǣngngān

While the tangible outcomes of ǫkhǣngngān may not be impressive, its social benefits are undeniable. It fosters a sense of community, promotes socializing, and helps participants bond outside of formal educational settings. Many students and teachers value the opportunity to clean together before starting their day, finding it enhances teamwork and problem-solving skills.

The Contrast Between Structure and Play

While there is a structured framework around ǫkhǣngngān, the practice itself is marked by spontaneity and play. This duality is evident in the various distractions and habits that参与者 bring to the session—students buying fruit from vendors, teachers engaging in impromptu discussions, and moments of laughter and singing.

The fluidity of ǫkhǣngngān allows for creative expression and adaptation, allowing participants to navigate within the boundaries of the institution while still reflecting their individual personalities. The shift between the structured environment and the playful interaction creates a dynamic space where participants can explore different roles and identities.

Conclusion: The Power of Imagination and Labour

In essence, ǫkhǣngngān encapsulates the interplay between labor and play, ideology, and individual agency. It serves as a microcosm of Laotian society, where collective effort and personal initiative coexist to create a sense of community and purpose. The practice is a testament to the power of imagination and labor, where structured initiatives are transformed into enjoyable and meaningful experiences.

As outsiders, we might view ǫkhǣngngān merely as a cleaning routine, but for参与者, it is much more. It is a shared experience that fosters social cohesion, reflects ideological values, and allows for personal expression. Understanding the complexity and richness of practices like ǫkhǣngngān helps us appreciate the underlying dynamics of Laotian society.

So, the next time you hear about collective cleaning initiatives, remember ǫkhǣngngān. It is not just about the physical labor; it is about the collective spirit, the shared imagination, and the power of coming together to create something meaningful.

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