Lua people

The Lua people (IPA: [luaʔ]) are a minority ethnic group native to Laos, although there is now a sizable community living in Thailand. Lua' is their preferred autonym (self-designation), while their Lao neighbours tend to call them Thin, T'in or Htin (Lao: ຖິ່ນ, Lao pronunciation: [tʰin]). Another term for this group is Lawa (but they have to be distinguished from the unrelated Lawa people in northern Thailand). There are two subgroups: the Mal and the Phai or Pray.

This article is about an ethnic group native to northern Laos and the Nan province of Thailand, speaking Khmuic languages. For another ethnic group, native to Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai provinces of Thailand, speaking a Palaungic language, see Lawa people.
Not to be confused with Luo people.
Lua
Thin, T'in, Htin, ຖິ່ນ
Lua couple in Laos ( in Thailand)
Total population
Unknown
Regions with significant populations
Laos, Thailand, United States
Laos23,193 (1995 census)
Thailand48,000 (1995)
Languages
Mal, Phai; Lao and/or Thai as second languages
Religion
Animism, Shamanism, Theravada Buddhism, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Mlabri and Khmu

The Lua speak Mal and Phai, closely related, but not mutually intelligible languages, belonging to the Khmuic branch of the Austroasiatic languages. Their home region is in the provinces of Sainyabuli (Hongsa and Phiang districts) and Bokeo (Pak Tha District). In Thailand, most Lua settle in Nan province, close to the border with Laos.

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