Lao Wiang
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 52,300 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Thailand | |
| Languages | |
| Lao, Thai | |
| Religion | |
| Theravada Buddhism |
The Lao Wiang[1] (Thai: āļĨāļēāļ§āđāļ§āļĩāļĒāļ, pronounced [lÄËw wÄŦaÅ]), sometimes also referred to as Lao Wieng, are a Tai sub-ethnic group of the Isan region. Approximately 50,000[citation needed] self-identified Lao Wiang live in villages throughout Thailand, especially in the provinces of Prachinburi, Udon Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Chai Nat, Lopburi, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, and Roi Et with a significant number residing in Bangkok.[citation needed]
Alternate names
[edit]The Lao Wiang are also referred to as Tai Wiang (āđāļāđāļ§āļĩāļĒāļ), Lao Vientiane (āļĨāļēāļ§āđāļ§āļĩāļĒāļāļāļąāļāļāļāđ), Tai Vientiane (āđāļāđāļ§āļĩāļĒāļāļāļąāļāļāļāđ) or simply as Wiang (āđāļ§āļĩāļĒāļ). These names are also used in Laos to refer to the inhabitants of Vientiane or their descendants in Thailand. Many who are in fact, Lao Wiang may identify simply as Isan or Lao.
History
[edit]The Lao Wiang, as their name suggests, are descendants of Lao people from the Vientiane (Wiang Chan) region (Thai: āđāļ§āļĩāļĒāļāļāļąāļāļāļāđ) in modern-day Laos. After the fall of Lan Xang, the three successor kingdoms were overrun by Siam and forced population transfers into Isan were carried out by the Siamese. Much of Isan was settled in this way and this is one of the main reasons for the shared Lao culture of Laos and Isan.[2] Originally enslaved and forced to provide corvÃĐe labour, the Lao Wiang were freed and integrated into the general Isan population.
Culture
[edit]The Lao Wiang are a sub-group of the broader Isan population(ethnic Lao of northeastern Thailand) distinguished from other Isan people by the origin of their ancestors. While most have adopted either a Thai or Isan identity, but some continue to maintain their distinctiveness. Like their neighbours, they share Theravada Buddhism, Isan language, and rice farming, with only slight differences in traditional clothing and dialect.[3]
References
[edit]- â "A Study of Language and Culture of Lao-Wiang in Nong Kop Subdistrict, Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province". Archived from the original on 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
- â Setthakan, Krasuand. (1930). Siam: Nature and Industry. Bangkok: Bangkok Times Press, Ltd.
- â Hattaway, Paul. (2004). Peoples of the Buddhist World: A Christian Prayer Guide. Pasadena: William Carey Library
