Nam Keung Mai, One of Other Tai Neua Villages in Lao PDR

Nam Keung Mai is a small and mountainous village. It is in Ton Pheung district, Bokeo province. It is far from Houayxai city ~ 25 kilometers and far from Tonpheung district ~ 20-26 kilomesters. The village is situated beside or a long the mountains.  

Actually, Nam Keung Mai was named based on the existing name 'Nam Keung Kao' (Nam= river, Mai= new, Kao= old, exist).  This is to distinguist  between both villages.

Nam Keung Mai used to be Mien's village. Before revolution, there were lots of Mien people living there. At that time, there was another name called ' Ban Chao Lar'.  Chao Lar was  a Mien leader. He ruled Nam Keung Mai village.

After revolution (1975), Chao Lar escaped from the village. Mien people also moved out and at the same time, Tai people started moving in more and more to settle down there. Most of them are Tai Neua and Tai Leu who moved from Meuang Sin, Louang Nam Tha province because of the War.

Recently, there are not only Tai Neua and Tai Leu living in, there are also other ethnic groups moving in such as Lao Tai, Youan, Tai Dam, Lao Theung, Lamed. Therefore recently Nam Keung Mai is a mixed village. There are lots of ethnic groups and also variety of culture.

However, some of traditional practice of Tai Neua still remain such as Won Leuan Sam (Tai Neua New Year) for instance.