The Lao Nyaw, Thai Nyaw or Tai Yo (Thai/Isan: ไทญ้อ, Thai pronunciation:[tʰājjɔ́ː], Isan pronunciation: [tʰɑjɲɔː], Khmer: ឡាវញ៉) are an ethnic group of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, scattered throughout the provinces of Isan such as Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and parts of Bolikhamxai and Khammouan provinces of Laos. They are also referred to as simply Nyaw or Yaw, depending on either the Lao, Isan, and Nyaw pronunciation, which all pronounce the initial consonant as [ɲ], or the Thai pronunciation, which pronounces the initial consonant as [j].
The Tai Nyaw believe that they are descendants of people originally from the northernmost part of Laos and Tonkin or immigrants during Tai migrations. Whatever the case may be, their dialect most closely resembles the Lao dialects from the regions east of Luang Prabang. Legend has it descendants are from the old king of Laos, who migrated after the overthrow and was forced to leave and spread out to neighboring countries for refuge. The Nyaw believed their ancestors are the king's personal guards and extended family.
The Nyaw language is very similar to the Lao language, which is referred to as the Isan language in Thailand. It is most similar to the Phuthai language also spoken within the same regions. Most Nyaw are often also fluent in Thai and Lao.
ReligionEdit
The Tai Nyaw practise Theravada Buddhism, but have also maintained their original animist religion. Important to the Nyaw people is the tutelary spirit of the village, known in the dialect as ผู้เจ้า [pʰuːtɕaw].
StatusEdit
In Thailand this language group is increasingly becoming integrated into the mainstream Isan language. This is due in large part to a campaign by the Thai government to modernize all Thai people, as well as due to outside influences of television, internet and local radio broadcasts. Most younger members of this northeastern tribal group in Thailand prefer to be called Thai rather than by their traditional tribal group name.
HeadhuntersEdit
Believed to be Nyaw indigenous headhunters who sought other tribes for bounty and sport, It was an honor to retrieve the heads of rival tribes as a trophy. Many traditional families still kept the severed skulls as charms and for use in Black Magic known as "Kong Dee". After the integration of Lao, Thai and Cambodian mainstream society the head hunts were deemed unacceptable.[citation needed]
nyaw, people, nyaw, thai, nyaw, thai, isan, ไทญ, thai, pronunciation, tʰāj, isan, pronunciation, tʰɑj, ɲɔː, khmer, វញ, ethnic, group, thailand, cambodia, laos, scattered, throughout, provinces, isan, such, nong, khai, sakon, nakhon, nakhon, phanom, parts, boli. The Lao Nyaw Thai Nyaw or Tai Yo Thai Isan ithyx Thai pronunciation tʰaj jɔ ː Isan pronunciation tʰɑj ɲɔː Khmer ឡ វញ are an ethnic group of Thailand Cambodia and Laos scattered throughout the provinces of Isan such as Nong Khai Sakon Nakhon Nakhon Phanom and parts of Bolikhamxai and Khammouan provinces of Laos They are also referred to as simply Nyaw or Yaw depending on either the Lao Isan and Nyaw pronunciation which all pronounce the initial consonant as ɲ or the Thai pronunciation which pronounces the initial consonant as j NyawTotal population120 000Regions with significant populationsParts of Isan Central Laos Western CambodiaLanguagesTai Yo Isan Lao Thai KhmerReligionTheravada BuddhismRelated ethnic groupsOther Tai peoples Contents 1 History 2 Language 3 Religion 4 Status 5 Headhunters 6 References 7 See AlsoHistory EditThe Tai Nyaw believe that they are descendants of people originally from the northernmost part of Laos and Tonkin or immigrants during Tai migrations Whatever the case may be their dialect most closely resembles the Lao dialects from the regions east of Luang Prabang Legend has it descendants are from the old king of Laos who migrated after the overthrow and was forced to leave and spread out to neighboring countries for refuge The Nyaw believed their ancestors are the king s personal guards and extended family Language EditMain articles Tai Yo language and Lao Nyo language The Nyaw language is very similar to the Lao language which is referred to as the Isan language in Thailand It is most similar to the Phuthai language also spoken within the same regions Most Nyaw are often also fluent in Thai and Lao Religion EditThe Tai Nyaw practise Theravada Buddhism but have also maintained their original animist religion Important to the Nyaw people is the tutelary spirit of the village known in the dialect as phueca pʰuː tɕaw Status EditIn Thailand this language group is increasingly becoming integrated into the mainstream Isan language This is due in large part to a campaign by the Thai government to modernize all Thai people as well as due to outside influences of television internet and local radio broadcasts Most younger members of this northeastern tribal group in Thailand prefer to be called Thai rather than by their traditional tribal group name Headhunters EditBelieved to be Nyaw indigenous headhunters who sought other tribes for bounty and sport It was an honor to retrieve the heads of rival tribes as a trophy Many traditional families still kept the severed skulls as charms and for use in Black Magic known as Kong Dee After the integration of Lao Thai and Cambodian mainstream society the head hunts were deemed unacceptable citation needed References Edithttps web archive org web 20070929141423 http www seamist org peoples nyaw thai shtml http khmerling blogspot com 2008 02 nya dialect collecting data htmlSee Also EditHmong people Khmu people Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nyaw people amp oldid 1127526348, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
