Origin Of Tai Neua

Basically, the word “Thaineua “ has two words-Thai and neua. Thai means human or people. Neua means above or the north or the top. Thaineua means people who live the north or move from the north.

In addition, the Word “Thai” is opposite of the word “Khaa” which in the past Laos was governed by kings.  There were a few level of society like India-  Therefore, Thai means general people who are not servants.  Khaa means servants. 

Historically, a group of people who live in 12 phana (Yunan), the south of China (Yunan). These groups of people moved down to the north of Laos because of Indochina’s War. Currently there are still the rest of Thaineua  group living in 12 Panna. They spoke 2 languages-Chinese and Thaineua.

The Tai Neua has lived in Lao for many centuries. The Tai Neua originated in China, they moved from the southern part of China and entered into Laos

First they had lived in Soye, Adth and Xieng Kho district in Huaphan province. Then they moved to settle in the Ma River region of Phongsali province.

Finally, they moved to the Muang Sing area about 200 years ago and were involved in the early chiefdoms in Muang Sing in the 18th century. They spread out across the north of Laos and Myanmar.

Today, there are also the Tai Neua in many countries such as Vietnam, and China, Thailand and United State.

According to district and provincial records, the population of Tai Neua in Lao PDR has 2,354 people (2005), of which 1, 205 are female.