- Khuen people
Ethnic group
group=Khuen
poptime=9,500 (est.)
popplace=Laos , China
rels=Traditional religion,Theravada Buddhism
related=The Khuen people are an aboriginalethnic group ofLaos .Name Variation
The Khuen have appeared in research under several different English spellings including Khuen, Kuan, Kuanhua, Kween, Khween, and Khouen.fact|date=January 2008
Language
The Khuen speak a language also called "Khuen", which is a Khmuic language. [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=LA Ethnologue report for Laos] ] fact|date=January 2008 The Khmuic languages are Austro-Asiatic. [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=LA Ethnologue report for Laos] ] There is some debate as to whether the Khmuic languages are of the Mon-Khmer branch, but the majority opinion is that they are not.
Geographic Distribution
*Population in Laos: 8000 in
Luang Namtha Province [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=LA Ethnologue report for Laos] ]
*Population in China: 1500, centered aroundJinghong in Southern Chinafact|date=January 2008
*Population in United States: UnknonwnCustoms
As a fellow member of the larger Khmuic ethnic group, many aspects of Khuen culture are similar to the Khmu.fact|date=January 2008 Family names are usually the names of sacred animals or plants. It is taboo for a Khuen person to touch the animal or plant that bears his or her family name.fact|date=January 2008
Religeon
In addition to
Theravada Buddhism , they also worship a hierarchy of demons and ghosts. Ancestor worship is also practiced.fact|date=January 2008References
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