Theravada Buddhism is a dominant influence in Lao culture. It is evident throughout the country, expressed in language, temples and the arts and literature. Many elements of Lao culture predate Buddhism. For example, Laotian music is dominated by its national musical instrument, the ''khaen'', a type of bamboo mouth organ that has prehistoric origins. The ''khaen'' traditionally accompanied the singer in ''mor lam'', the dominant style of folk music.