Lao Theung

The Lao Theung (on Laotian: ລາວ ເທິງ ) move to 100 to 1000 meters above sea level on mountain slopes and on the high plains of Laos. Set at 27% the second largest major group of the population of Laos.

The three main groups of the population of Laos - the Lao Loum ( 55% largest group ), the Lao Theung ( 27% second-largest group ) and the Lao Soung ( 15% smallest group ) differ by the altitude of their settlements, the time their arrival in Laos and ethnic, cultural and traditional features. The groups and sub-groups rarely mix with each other.

Oldest population

The Lao Theung belong mostly to the Mon-Khmer peoples and are considered the oldest population group in the country Laos. They were once driven out by the invading Lao tribes from the lowlands and called kha ( slaves ). Still denote the lowlanders the Lao Theung because of their dark skin color and the other ethnicity as kha. The urns on the Plain of Jars were most likely their creations. Members of tribes of Lu, Lamet and Kamu were servants of the princes, and are still poorly paid workers. Some strains of Lao Theung participated in the Lao language and Buddhism, others remained animists.

Way of life

The Lao Theung live by hunting and by Brandrodungsbau. Most become sedentary - they cultivate rice, tobacco, cotton, tea and coffee using simple equipment or raise cattle. They often live as extended families in elongated stilt houses. The villages are tightly organized. There are storage, Stag and assembly, spirits and dead houses. The buildings are skillfully constructed of wood, bamboo and wicker and have high, steep roofs.

Regional distribution

The Lao Theung are spread over the plateaus of the entire country, but mainly they are in the north and east is home. The term Lao Theung combines several dozen people are gathered together. In the northern mountain regions resettle the Khmu, numerically the largest subgroup of Lao Theung. In Central Laos Katang, the second largest Lao- Theung folk live. The most significant subgroups in southern Laos are the lavas, Dew Oi and Souei. The greatest variety of Mon-Khmer peoples are found in the southern provinces, especially on the Bolaven Plateau.