- Lao Song
ethnic group
group=Lao Song
poptime=45,000
popplace=Thailand
rels=Theravada Buddhism
langs=Lao Song,Thai
related=Tai Dam ,Lao ,Thai ,Dai language
name=Lao Song
states=Thailand
region=Throughout Central Thailand.
speakers=45,000
familycolor=Tai-Kadai
fam2=Kam-Tai
fam3=Be-Tai
fam4=Tai-Sek
fam5=Tai
fam6=Southwestern
fam7=East Central
fam8=Chiang Saeng
fam9=Tai DamThe Lao Song (Thai: ลาวโซ่ง,
IPA : laːsoːŋ) are anethnic group ofThailand . The Lao Song are also known as the Tai Song (ไทโซ่ง), Lao Song Dam (ลาวโซ่งดำ) or simply as the Song or Song Dam.History
The Lao Song are descendants of
Lao peoples from the areas ofTonkin and areas east ofLuang Prabang when they were forcibly removed to the areas of Central Thailand today as slaves andcorvée labourers during Siamese annexation during the 18th and 19th centuries. Most were members of theTai Dam ethnic group (counted by the Chinese government as members of theDai ethnic group) and the traditional dress, language, and culture is remarkable as a preservation of Tai Dam culture in the heart of Central Thailand andThaification policies. The Lao Song were used as guards for the royal courts and to help control the powerful Chinese minority, which explains their widespread distribution.Geographic Distribution
There are approximately 34,000 Lao Song spread out over Central Thailand, including Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Chumphon and Nakhon Pathom Provinces.
Religion
Although originally they believed in
animism , most Lao Song are nowTheravada Budddhists , but this often co-exists with the older religion.Ecomony
*Crop farming
*HandiraftsReferences
* [http://www.tenthousandvillages.ca/cgi-bin/category.cgi?type=store&item=art_7603&template=fullpage-en Lao Song Crafts]
*Hattaway, Paul. (2004). "Peoples of the Buddhist World: A Christian Prayer Guide." Pasadena: William Carey Library.
*Zhu, Liangwen (1992). The Dai: Or the Tai and Their Architecture & Customs in South China. Bangkok, Thailand, and Kunming, Yunnan, China: D D Books and The Science and Technology Press of Yunnan.
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