Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
animist spirits. They are known to perform a ceremony similar to the
basi
ceremony which is
supposed to reunite the wayward souls of their water buffalo. They are also skilled weavers
whose work is in demand from other groups that do not weave, such as the Khmu.
The
Phuan
were also once a recognized kingdom, but are now largely forgotten. The king-
dom's territory, formerly located in the province of Xieng Khuang (the capital of which was
formerly known as Muang Phuan), was at once coveted by the Siamese and Vietnamese. Ag-
gression from both sides as well as from Chinese Haw bandits left it in ruins and the populace
scattered.
The Phuan are Theravada Buddhists, but once observed an impromptu holy day known as
kam fa
. When the first thunder of the season was heard, all labours ceased and villagers
avoided any activity that might cause even the slightest noise. The village's fortune was then
divined based on the direction from which the thunder was heard.
The
Phu Tai
of Savannakhet and Khammouane provinces are also found in the northeast
of Thailand. They are Theravada Buddhists and have assimilated into Lao culture to a high
degree, although it is still possible to recognize them by their dress on festival days. The pre-
dominant colours of the Phu Tai shawls and skirts are an electric purple and orange with yel-
low and lime-green highlights.
The “tribal Tai”
Other Tai peoples related to the Lao are the so-called
tribal Tai
, who live in river valleys
at slightly higher elevations and are mostly animists. These include the rather mysteriously
named Tai Daeng (Red Tai), Tai Khao (White Tai) and Tai Dam (Black Tai). Theories about
nomenclature vary. It is commonly surmised that the names were derived from the predom-
inant colour of the womenfolk's dress, but others have suggested that the groups were named
after the river valleys in northern Vietnam where they were thought to have originated. These
Tai groups were once loosely united in a political alliance called the
SipsongChaoTai
or the
Twelve Tai Principalities, spread over an area that covers parts of northwestern Vietnam and
northeastern Laos. The traditional centre was present-day
DienBienPhu
in Vietnam, known
to the Tai as Muang Theng. When the French returned to Indochina after World War II, they
attempted to establish a “Tai Federation” encompassing the area of the old Principalities. The
plan was short-circuited by Ho Chi Minh who, after defeating the French, was able to manip-
ulate divisions between the Tai groups in order to gain total control.
The
TaiDam
are found in large numbers in Hua Phan and Xieng Khuang provinces, but also
inhabit northern Laos as far west as Luang Namtha. Principally animists, they have a system
of Vietnamese-influenced surnames that indicate political and social status. The women are
easily recognized by their distinctive dress: long-sleeved, tight-fitting blouses in bright, solid
colours with a row of butterfly-shaped silver buttons down the front and a long, indigo-col-
oured skirt. The outfit is completed with a bonnet-like headcloth of indigo with red trim.
