Prai people
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 51,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Laos, Thailand | |
| Languages | |
| Phai; Lao and/or Thai as second languages | |
| Religion | |
| Animism, Theravada Buddhism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mal |
The Phai are an ethnic group in Thailand and Laos. They are one of two sub-groups of the Lua people (the other one being the Mal).[1]
Name Variation
[edit]The Phai are also commonly referred to as Prai, Phay, Thung Chan Pray, Kha Phay,[2] and Pray.[3] In Laos they are also referred to as Htin.[4]
Language
[edit]The Phai speak a language also called Phai, which belongs to the Khmuic branch of Austroasiatic languages[2] There are several dialects called Phai, that are sometimes hardly mutually intelligible.
Geographic Distribution
[edit]- Population in Laos: 15,000 in Phongsali and Xaignabouli Provinces[2]
There are also dozens of Prai villages in Thailand.[5][better source needed]
References
[edit]- ^ Joachim Schliesinger (2003). Ethnic Groups of Laos, Volume 1: Introduction and Overview. White Lotus. p. 171.
- ^ a b c Ethnologue report for Laos
- ^ Frank Proschan. "A Survey of Khmuic and Palaungic Languages in Laos and Vietnam" (PDF). Pan-Asiatic Linguistics. 3: 895–919, at pp. 896, 898.
- ^ Schliesinger, Joachim, Ethnic Groups of Laos, vol. 2, ISBN 974-480-036-4
- ^ Jordan-Diller, K; Diller, FJ (2004). "The Prai of Northern Thailand: A sociolinguistic survey of a Mon-Khmer language". Mon-Khmer Studies.
| Lao-Tai | |
|---|---|
| Vietic | |
| Khmer | |
| Katuic | |
| Bahnaric | |
| Khmu-Palaungic | |
| Hmong–Mien | |
| Tibeto-Burman | |
| Other | |
| General grouping |
|
