Nyaw language

ethnic group
group=Nyaw


poptime=50,000
popplace=Parts of Isan, Central Laos
rels=Theravada Buddhism
langs=Isan/Lao, Thai
related=Other Tai peoples. language
name=Nyaw
states=Thailand, Laos
region=Isan, Mekong floodplain
speakers=50,000
familycolor=Tai-Kadai
fam2=Kam-Tai
fam3=Be-Tai
fam4=Tai-Sek
fam5=Tai
fam6=Southwestern
fam7=East Central
fam8=Lao-Phutai
iso3=nyw

The Nyaw or Tai Nyaw (Thai/Isan: ไทญ่อ, IPA: tʰɑj ɲɔː) are an ethnic group of Thailand and Laos, scattered throughout the provinces of Isan such as Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and parts of areas of Bolikhamxai and Khammouan provinces of Laos. They are also referred to as simply "Nyaw" or "Yaw", depending on the Lao/Isan/Nyaw pronunciation, with (ɲ) or the Thai prounciation of (j).

History

The Tai Nyaw believe that they are descendants of people originally from the northernmost part of Laos and Tonkin or immigrants during Tai migrations from Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan Province. Whatever the case may be, their dialect most closely resembles the Lao dialects from the regions east of Luang Prabang.

Language

The Nyaw dialect is very similar to Lao/Isan languages of their neighbours, with only slight differenecs in tones and accent and closest to the Phuthai dialects also spoken within the same regions. Most Nyaw are usually also fluent in Thai and Lao/Isan.

Religion

The Tai Nyaw practise Theravada Buddhism, but have also maintained their original animist religion. Important to the Nyaw people is the tutelary spirit of the village, known in the dialect as ผู้เจ้า (IPA: pʰuː tɕaw).

References

*http://www.seamist.org/peoples/nyaw-thai.shtml
*Hattaway, Paul. (2004). "Peoples of the Buddhist World: A Christian Prayer Guide." Pasadena: William Carey Library
*http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
*http://khmerling.blogspot.com/2008/02/nya-dialect-collecting-data.html