Lamet people
Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Laos, Thailand | |
Languages | |
Lamet, Lao, Thai | |
Religion | |
Animism, Buddhism |
The Lamet people are an ethnic group in Thailand and Laos.
Name Variations
Lamet are also often referred to as:[citation needed]
- Lamed
- Khamet
- Khamed
Geographic Distribution
There are approximately 22,000 Lamet in the Louang Namtha Province, Oudomxai and Bokeo Provinces of Laos.[citation needed] There are also approximately 100 Lamet in Thailand in the Chiang Rai and Lampang Provinces. [citation needed]There are also 90 Lamet in the United States and 30 in France.[citation needed] In Laos, the Lamet are a hill tribe.
Origin
The Lamet claim to be an indigenous population to northwestern Laos.[1] They are a Palaungic ethnic group.
Language
The Lamet speak an Austroasiatic language related to Palaung and Wa.[1] Most adult males also speak Tai Yuan.[1]
Economy
The Lamet practice slash-and-burn agriculture, as well as hunting, gathering and fishing.[1] The Lamet trade with the Lao and Thai to obtain their necessaries.[1] Some Lamet also work for wages.[1]
Religions
Marriage customs
After marriage, the newly married Lamet man moves into his wife's family home and works for her father. He then begins to make marriage payments up to a fixed amount, after which the couple either moves in with the husband's parents, or the couple makes a new household.[citation needed]
Significance of Wealth
Wealth is considered an important characteristic among male Lamet. For the Lamet, wealth is measured by one's inventory of buffalo, chimes, and bronze drums.[citation needed]
References
External links
- http://projekt.ht.lu.se/rwaai RWAAI (Repository and Workspace for Austroasiatic Intangible Heritage)
- http://hdl.handle.net/10050/00-0000-0000-0003-66ED-E@view Lamet in RWAAI Digital Archive