Lao song

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The Lao Song ( Thai ลาว โซ่ง ), also Tai Song ( ไท โซ่ง ), originally Tai Song Dam ( ไท โซ่ง ดำ ; "Tai of black form") or Lao Song Dam ( ลาว โซ่ง ดำ ), also only abbreviated Song or Song Dam , are an ethnic group of the Tai peoples in central Thailand . The name for the people is derived from their predominantly black costume.

history

The Lao Song are descended from Tai Dam ("Black Tai") from Tonkin (North Vietnam) and areas around Luang Prabang (Laos), from where they were forcibly forced labor or slaves to central Thailand during the Siamese conquests in the 18th and 19th centuries were relocated . Most have preserved the Tai Dam culture - like traditional clothing and language - to this day.

The Lao Dam were settled among other things as part of a "defensive belt" around the capital Bangkok against Burma. In addition, they were used as guards at the royal court and to control the economically influential Chinese minority, which also explains their widespread use.

Geographical distribution

There are approximately 34,000 Lao Song members spread across central Thailand and the north of the country.

They settle in the provinces of Phetchaburi , Kanchanaburi , Nakhon Pathom , Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan .

religion

Originally the Lao Song were followers of an animistic ethnic religion . They are now, like most Thais , Theravada Buddhists . Nevertheless, a core of the animistic belief has been preserved.

economy

The Lao Song are arable farmers and make handicrafts .

literature

  • Paul Hattaway: Peoples of the Buddhist World. A Christian Prayer Guide. William Carey Library, Pasadena CA 2004. Entry Song , p. 262.
  • Joachim Schliesinger: Tai Groups of Thailand. Profile of the existing groups. White Lotus Press, 2001. Chapter Lao Song , p. 53 ff.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d Volker Grabowsky : Population and State in Lan Na. A contribution to the population history of Southeast Asia. Harrassowitz-Verlag, Wiesbaden 2004, p. 31.
  2. ↑ Thai Song In: M. Paul Lewis, Gary F. Simons, Charles D. Fennig (Eds.): Ethnologue. Languages ​​of the World. 17th edition. SIL International, Dallas 2014. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com./