Thin, Tʻin, Htin, ຖິ່ນ | |
|---|---|
 Lua couple in Laos ( in Thailand) | |
| Total population | |
| Unknown | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Laos, Thailand, United States | |
| Laos | 23,193 (1995 census)[1] |
| Thailand | 48,000 (1995)[2] |
| Languages | |
| Mal, Phai; Lao and/or Thai as second languages | |
| Religion | |
| Animism, Shamanism, Theravada Buddhism, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mlabri and Khmu[2] | |
The Lua people (Phai pronunciation: [luaʔ]) are a minority ethnic group native to Laos, although there is now a sizable community living in Thailand. Luaʼ is their preferred autonym (self-designation), while their Lao neighbours tend to call them Thin (Tʻin or Htin; Lao: ຖິ່ນ Lao pronunciation: [tʰin]). Another term for this group is Lawa[3] (but they have to be distinguished from the unrelated Lawa people in northern Thailand). There are two subgroups: the Mal and the Phai or Pray.[1]
The Lua speak Mal and Phai, closely related, but not mutually intelligible languages, belonging to the Khmuic branch of the Austroasiatic languages. Their home region is in the provinces of Sainyabuli (Hongsa and Phiang districts) and Bokeo (Pak Tha District).[4] In Thailand, most Lua settle in Nan province, close to the border with Laos.[2]
- ^ a b Joachim Schliesinger (2003). Ethnic Groups of Laos, Volume 1: Introduction and Overview. White Lotus. p. 171.
- ^ a b c Joachim Schliesinger (2003). Ethnic Groups of Laos, Volume 2: Profile of Austro-Asiatic-Speaking Peoples. White Lotus. p. 161.
- ^ Frank Proschan. "A Survey of Khmuic and Palaungic Languages in Laos and Vietnam" (PDF). Pan-Asiatic Linguistics. 3: 895–919, at pp. 896, 898.
- ^ Joachim Schliesinger (2003). Ethnic Groups of Laos, Volume 2: Profile of Austro-Asiatic-Speaking Peoples. White Lotus. p. 160.