For the most part, they have attempted to encourage this through voluntary measures, although there has been sporadic violence between the government and ethnic minorities that have risen up in military rebellions across the 20th century. See more ideas about laos, traditional dresses, people of the world. Although Laos‘ ethnic groups are nowadays linguistically grouped, this report will use the old geographical classification of Lao Loum (lowland Lao), Lao Theung (Upland Lao) and Lao Soung (Highland Lao). To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. Mien (Yao), Akha, Lahu, and other related groups are considerably smaller in numbers and tend to be located in rather limited areas of the north. Nowadays, the Mon are a major ethnic group in Myanmar and a minor ethnic group in Thailand. Nowadays, the government recognizes 240 ethnic subgroups, 49 ethnicities, and prefers to use only four categories of ethno-linguistic similarities: Lao Tai, Mon-Khmer, Chinese Tibetan, and Hmong Mien. Laos is a predominantly rural country with a youthful population – almost 55% of the population is under the age of 25. We are a passionate team of one hundred avid travelers who love to share our experiences of Laos with those looking for a more authentic travel experience. As for the fourth group, it's simply a category of people with ancestry from other Asian nations. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} They can’t marry within their clan or even a person of their own family name. So, what system does Laos use now? The landlocked nation of Laos is unique amongst Asian nations. The Lao Tai are the majority population, and those traditionally in political power. The term eth­nic minorities is used by some to clas­sify the non-Lao eth­nic groups, while the term in­dige­nous peoples is not used by the Lao PDR.Thes… You can count on us for any piece of information you need to know about the local, history, culture, and insiders’ travel tips as we are extremely passionate about what we do, and we make sure to do it in the most pleasant way possible. Lao Loum, Laos Theung, Laos Soung represent for three mainstreams in linguistic group: Tai Dakai language, Mon Khmer Language, Chinese-Tibetan and Hmong-Mien … The best way to discover the Laotian ethnic group is on your own on Laos Tours. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. In terms of Lao people, there are still many ethnic groups existing with diverse cultures and customs. They made up the majority of the population, and recognized 23 different ethnic groups within this greater category. The communal house will be the center of a village and other normal houses are built around it in a circular pattern. Some people might even assume that these two traits are inherently linked. All rights reserved. So, despite potentially having over 200 distinct ethnic groups, the Laos government prefers to only recognize four broad categories, based on ethnic and linguistic similarities. We expect to maximize your traveling experience and become the lovely host that leaves a wonderful impression on you at the end of every trip. Home / Travel Guide / Lao People / Ethnic Groups in Laos | All about 5 Major Lao Ethnic Groups. Why? Teaching Financial Literacy & Personal Finance, Overview of Blood & the Cardiovascular System, Electrolyte, Water & pH Balance in the Body, Sexual Reproduction & the Reproductive System, How Teachers Can Improve a Student's Hybrid Learning Experience. This ethnic group also set their feet in Vietnam and Thailand. Spe­cial­ists are largely in agree­ment as to the eth­no­lin­guis­tic clas­si­fi­ca­tion of the eth­nic groups of Laos. How Long is the School Day in Homeschool Programs? As of the 2005 national census, the Laos government recognized 240 subgroups of people. Our team is carefully put together and we can proudly say that we are among the best. More recent estimates suggest that out of a total population of 5.6 million (2005) there are currently over 3 million ethnic Lao (54 per cent of the total) and around 2.6 million other cultural distinct ethnic people, including other Tay-Tai speakers (46 per cent of the total). Obviously, we can't talk about all of the ethnic groups in Laos today, but instead we can talk about what this diversity has meant to the people of Laos. Offers a history of the classification of ethnic groups in Laos. This page was last edited on 30 June 2020, at 11:28. The implication is that all people within Laos should think of themselves as Lao, as citizens of the nation, first and foremost. Highways, economic zones, railway construction and new agricultural plantations in Laos have all been marred by accusations of land grabs and rights violations, both against ethnic minorities and ethnic Lao. In Oudomxay Province, they are the second-largest ethnic group, only after Khamu. House of Alak people is often built on stilts which is one meter higher above the ground. They mostly migrated down to Laos, forced to flee the many violent revolts happening in Southern China between 1850 and 1870. ethnic groups. and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. In this system, people were either Laos Thais (lowlands), Laos Theung (middle-altitude lands), Laos Soung (upper-mountains), or other Asians. Visit the Overview of Ethnic Groups in the World page to learn more. They mostly migrated down to Laos, forced to flee the many violent revolts happening in Southern China between 1850 and 1870. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. Ethnic Groups Akha General Ethnic Studies As a result of Cold War conflicts between Communist and Capitalist armies, Laos holds the title of the most heavily-bombed nation per capita in human history. - Definition, Measurements & Effects, Reviewing & Revising Treatment Plans in Counseling, Capital Assets in Government-Wide Financial Statements for Local & State Governments, Electrolyte Balance in the Body: Regulation & Imbalance, Quiz & Worksheet - Atmospheric Temperature Profile & Thermodynamic Diagrams, Quiz & Worksheet - Static Stability, Cloud Formation & The Environmental Lapse Rate, Quiz & Worksheet - The Solar Constant & Inverse Square Law, Quiz & Worksheet - Characteristics of the Troposphere, Flashcards - Real Estate Marketing Basics, Flashcards - Promotional Marketing in Real Estate, Effective Discussion Questions for the Classroom, Teaching Resources, Curriculum & Lesson Plans, Introduction to Human Geography: Certificate Program, Middle School Earth Science Curriculum Resource & Lesson Plans, Social Psychology Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Electric Units, AP Environmental Science - Energy Concepts: Homework Help, Quiz & Worksheet - Function of Organelles in Cells, Quiz & Worksheet - Understanding Solutions, Suspensions & Colloids, Quiz & Worksheet - Lord Randall Synopsis & Analysis, Quiz & Worksheet - Identifying Sensory Details in Writing, Quiz & Worksheet - Properties of Metallic Bonds, Daily Scrum: Purpose, Rules & Best Practices, Claiming a Tax Deduction for Your Study.com Teacher Edition, How to Be Successful in College: Avoid Debt & Remedial Courses, Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. The upper-mountain groups were called the Laos Soung. Anyone can earn Why is national unity so important to the government? For Hmong people, they are always proud of being their ethnic group, maintaining their distinctive culture and traditions. For example, rotational farming with proper management systems, without encroaching on new forestlands, can be environmentally sustainable and even carbon neutral. There are officially 68 ethnic groups in Laos. Ethnic groups. The Lao government’s land policy discoura… A true mosaic of ethnic groups, Laos has 130 different ethnic tribes divided into four language groups. It's been difficult at times, but Laos really has no other examples of nations with similar demographics to turn to. Many Asian nations are characterized by both the presence of incredibly dense populations and a high amount of ethnic diversity. Now that's a record you don't want to hold, and perhaps Laotian leaders are hoping national unity can also mean national security. That would make it by far one of the most diverse nations in the world. The population of the Lao people has increased from 1,804,101 in 1985 to 3,427,665 in 2015. For the pur­poses of the 1995 cen­sus, the gov­ern­ment of Laos rec­og­nized 149 eth­nic groups within 47 main ethnicities. Moreover, the facial taboo is their very traditional custom for women in the past and right now is discouraged by the Laotian government. In the spring and autumn period (770-475 BC) the term was applied to a state on the southeast coast which was destroyed in 334 BC as the Han Chinese moved across the Yangtze into the south. Yet, many people within Laos dispute this. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Alak is another ethnic group coming from the Laos Seung Group. Almost nine-tenths of Vietnam’s people are ethnic Vietnamese. THE MOSAIC OF ETHNIC MINORITIES One of South East Asia’s most ethnically diverse countries, Laos has long defied the best efforts of anthropologists and linguists to classify its complex array of ethnicities and sub-ethnicities, many of which utilise several different names and synonyms given to them by the government or by other ethnic groups. Some of the tribes may only have a few hundred members and are only found in Laos. Did you know… We have over 220 college Types of Hybrid Learning Models During Covid-19, Creating Routines & Schedules for Your Child's Pandemic Learning Experience, How to Make the Hybrid Learning Model Effective for Your Child, Distance Learning Considerations for English Language Learner (ELL) Students, Weather Variables: Air Pressure, Temperature & Density, What is Humidity? Alak is another ethnic group coming from the Laos Seung Group. Traditionally, these ethnicities were categorized by geography. The ethno-linguistic groups that make up Laos' current system are the Lao Tai, Mon-Khmer, Chinese Tibetan, and Hmong Mien. About 68% of all Laotians are Lao-Loum, or lowland Lao, a people related to the people of Thailand; thought to have migrated to Laos from southwestern China in the 8th century, the Lao-Loum are concentrated in the lowlands along the Mekong. Top 5 The Specialist Characteristics of Lao People, Laos People – Characteristics & Personalities of Laotian People, Lao Ethnic Groups – Diverse & Distinct of Lao People, Laos Travel News: COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Lao PDR, Travel with Confidence with Go Laos Tours, Vang Vieng Welcome the Appearance of “The Academy Training Hotel & Restaurant”, Coronavirus – COVID-19 News & Update in Laos, Feedback of Mr. Jayden on 9 days Laos Vacation, Hidden Treasure in Northern Laos - 10 days, Water Festival in Laos – Laos New Year in April (Boun Pi Mai), Blue Lagoon in Vang Vieng, Laos – The Picturesque Natural Lake, Cost of Traveling in Laos & How Much to Bring on a Laos Trip. Another issue of international concern is the involuntary repatriation of over 4,000 ethnic Hmong to Laos from camps in Thailand, which took place at the end of December 2009. The ethno-linguistic groups that make up Laos' current system are the Lao Tai, Mon-Khmer, Chinese Tibetan, and Hmong Mien. 2003 Ethnic Groups: General Ethnic Groups Cursory history of Laos with an emphasis on ethnicity. The Laotians or Lao people are a Tai ethnic-group indigenous to the southeastern parts of Asia. When looking at the continual attempts by the Laos government to decrease its official diversity, the obvious question is: why? The most numerous group of people in Laos are the ‘Lao’ people, sometimes referred to as the Lao Lum (lowland Lao). Though some communities are Buddhists, most remain animists. The entire nation is only composed of around 6 million people, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in Asia. All Rights Reserved. The Lao Lum are the most numerous ethnic group in Laos numbering around 3.5 million (53% of the total population). - Definition & Architecture, Quiz & Worksheet - Religion in the Stone Age and Bronze Age, Quiz & Worksheet - The History of Money and Rise of Complex Economies, Quiz & Worksheet - How Writing Was Invented, The Fall of the Roman Empire: Help and Review, The Medieval Warm Period: Help and Review, Biology 202L: Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab, Biology 201L: Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab, California Sexual Harassment Refresher Course: Supervisors, California Sexual Harassment Refresher Course: Employees. Ethnic Lao, the principal lowland inhabitants and politically and culturally dominant group, make up the bulk … Today, the Laos ethnic groups map still very much reflects the physical landscape of the country. Lolo ethnicity. This group does control most of Laotian government, and lives in the rich river valleys where the ancient kingdoms first arose. Akin to the ethnic Lao are the Tai Leu, Phuan and Phu Tai, found in the northwest, the northeast and mid-south respectively. Right now, the Mien people are one of the largest hill tribe groups in Laos, after Hmong and Alak. Laos is the most ethnically diverse country in continental Southeast Asia, and its government recognizes 160 ethnic subgroups within 49 ethnic groups. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Chris has a master's degree in history and teaches at the University of Northern Colorado. Whenever you have a chance to visit Laotian ethnic group, often on a Laos Tour to visit, they will definitely take you to the higher area of Laos Theung and Laos Seung, but not the low land where Laos Loum lives. The Lao Loum constitute roughly two-thirds of the population, with the ethnic Lao by far the largest component. Laos Demographics. They have emigrated from Southern China to Northern and Central of Laos many years ago. Historically, many cities in Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos today, including Yangon, Bangkok, and Vientiane were founded either by the Mon people or Mon rulers. Based on specific detail on Hmong clothes, they are divided into four subgroups: White Hmong, Striped Hmong, Red Hmong, and Black Hmong. During those years, the influence of Vietnamese forces res… In fact, in 2008 the government formally declared that while they would recognize 49 ethnicities, there was only one nationality: Lao. Ethnic groups: Lao 53.2%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 9.2%, Phouthay 3.4%, Tai 3.1%, Makong 2.5%, Katong 2.2%, Lue 2%, Akha 1.8%, other 11.6% (2015 est.) Create an account to start this course today. Phunoi. Because none of these ethnic groups are indigenous to Laos. Hmong is the best representative of Laos Seung, comprised of about two-thirds of Laos Seung’s population. These 240 subgroups, however, were lumped into 49 ethnic groups. The Lao Lum are the most numerous ethnic group in Laos numbering around 3.5 million (53% of the total population). The Hmong are the most numerous Lao Sung group, with villages spread across the uplands of all the northern provinces. first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Nowadays, the Mon are a major ethnic group in Myanmar and a minor ethnic group in Thailand.