Lao people

Laos was once described as "less a nation state than a collection of different tribes and languages". The country's enormous ethnic diversity has long been an impediment to national integration. Lao traditionally divides themselves into three main cultural groups, divided by altitude rather than by region. The Lao-Tai group (majority - around 68% of the population), known as Lao Loum (Valley Lao); the Mon-Khmer group, known as Lao Theung (highland Lao) who comprise 22% of the population; the Sino-Tibetian group, known as Lao Soung (hill tribes/mountain-top Lao) who constitute around 9% of the population; and ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese: 1%. Lao Loum are the ethnic Lao majority who have traditionally resided in the Mekong River alley or along lower tributaries of the Mekong and who speak Lao. Other lowland Lao are Thai-Dam and Lao Phouan. Lao Theung are a loose affiliation of mostly Mon-Khmer people who live on mid-altitude mountain slopes in northern and southern Laos. The most numerous group is the Khamu. Lao Soung are the hill tribe people who make their residence at altitudes greater than 1000 meters above sea level. Of all the peoples of Laos, they are the most recent immigrants, having come from Southern China, Tibet and Myanmar (Burma) within the last century. * The Lao-Tai family includes eight groups: Lao, Phouthai, Tai, Thai Neua, Thai Dum, Phuan, Gnouane, Young, Saek, and Lue. * The Mone-Khmer family has 32 ethnic groups, which include Khmu, Pray, Singmou, Khom, Thene, Idou, Bid, Lamed, Samtao, Katang, Makong, Try, Trieng, Ta-oi, Yeh, Brao, Harak, Katou, Oi, Krieng, Yrou, Souai, Gnaheune, Lavy, Kabkae, Khmer, Toum, Ngouane, Meuang, and Kri. * The Tibeto-Burmese family includes seven ethnic groups: Ahka, Singsali, Lahou, Sila, Hayi, Lolo and Hor. * The Hmong-Ioumien category has two main tribes: Hmong and Ioumien (Yao). The multi-ethnic people of Laos are generally scattered across the country, while each has its own unique traditions, culture, language and way of life. 2005 Census - Laos has a population of 5.6 million people. Savannakhet has the biggest population among provinces,(824,662 people). Vientiane city is second with 695,473 people followed by Champassak province with 603,880 people.

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