Geographic distribution The Khmu (also referred to as Khamu or Kammu) were the indigenous inhabitants of northern Laos. There are more than 500,000 Khmu around the world, with populations of 450,000 in Laos, 43,000 in Vietnam, 10,000 in Thailand, 10,000 in China, and 8,000 in the United States.[citation needed] The Khmu of Laos reside mainly within the Luang Prabang and Xieng Khouang Provinces. The Khmu of Thailand are clustered near the Thailand-Laos border. Most Khmu villages are isolated, and only slowly receiving electricity. In many areas the Khmu live alongside the Hmong and other regional minority ethnic groups. A large number of Khmu live in Richmond, California, having come as refugees from the Vietnam War. California is home to both the Khmu National Federation, Inc., and the Kmhmu Catholic National Center. Most Khmu in Thailand arrived recently from Laos and Vietnam as refugees, also around the outset of the Vietnam War. The Khmu, however, are closely related to the Mlabri, the indigenous yellow leaf people of Thailand. Origin See also: Peopling of Laos The Khmu are a subdivision of the greater Khmuic peoples who are aboriginal to Laos and surrounding areas. Language Their language, in the Khmuic language family, is also called Khmu and belongs to the Austro-Asiatic group of languages. Society The Khmu are an agricultural society, although gathering, hunting, trapping and fishing are parts of the Khmu lifestyle. Khmu crops include rice, corn, bananas, sugar cane and a variety of vegetables. Most of the agricultural work in Khmu villages is done communally, so as to combine the strength and finish the work quickly. Harvesting of wild rice is generally performed by the village women. Rice is stored outside the village in elevated structures to protect from mice and rats. Khmu elders are traditionally the most important people of the village, and are responsible for resolving all village disputes. Village leaders included the shaman ( knowledgeable in spiritual medicine), the medicine man (knowledgeable in herbal medicine), the priest (based on family lineage of priesthood), and the village headman (in modern times chosen by the Laotian government).. Laotian Khmu communities generally have localized justice systems administered by the village elders. Culture Khmu culture is traditionally passed down by the recital of stories around evening fires. The story-telling sessions involve the sharing of silver pipes (originally opium, but now predominately tobacco). Some Khmu are heavily tattooed for both decorative and religious reasons. In Laos, Khmu are reputed for practicing magic, and some families still engage in the casting of spells and telling of fortunes. According to the animistic practices of the Khmu, reverence is offered to the house spirit Rroi gang. Villagers believe that a Khmu house, village, and its surroundings are integrated with the spirits of the land, and so houses and villages are conside red holy or ritualized spaces. Typically, entire Khmu villages are enclosed in fences with three or four gates which separate the Khmu from their granaries and barns. Altars are placed outside the perimeter to ward off fires and storms. In the past, each Khmu family was believed to be under the protection of a totem such as a boar or an eagle who had originally helped an ancestor and would continue to protect the family. Traditional Khmu homes had two rooms, one for unmarried girls and one for the rest of the family. Roofs of houses covered with wooden tiles or thatch. Khmu cemeteries are traditionally divided into four sections; one for natural deaths, one for accidental deaths, one for children, and one for those who died away from home. The Khmu do not generally believe in rebirth. Traditional Khmu animism puts emphasis on the concept of taboo, as villagers believe that violations of taboo result in vengeance of spirits. Forbidden activities include touching the altars or the amulets representing the house's spirit, birth ceremonies for children born feet-first, and entering a house without permission. References ^ a b Khmu Profile ^ Khmu National Federation, Inc. ^ Kmhmu Catholic National Center ^ a b c d e f The Khmu Rok People of Laos by John Walsh, Shinawatra International University, March 2005 ^ a b c d e Facts about the Khmu people ^ a b c d e f g h Community Portrait: Khmu, Miriam Gross v d e Government-classified ethnic groups in Burma (Myanmar) Anu Anun Asho Atsi Awa Khami Bamar (Burman) Beik Bre (Ka-Yaw) Bwe Chin Dai (Yindu) Daingnet Dalaung Danaw (Danau) Danu Dawei Dim Duleng Eik-swair Eng Ganan Gheko Guari Gunte (Lyente) Gwete Haulngo Hkahku Hkun (Khn) Hpon Intha Kachin (Jingpo) Kadu (Kado) Ka-Lin-Kaw (Lushay) Kamein Kaung Saing Chin Kaungso Kaw (Akha-E-Kaw) Kayah (Karenni) Kayin (Karen) Kayinpyu (Geba Karen) Ka-Yun (Kayan; Padaung) Kebar Khami Khamti Shan Khmu (Khamu) Khawno Kokang Kwangli (Sim) Kwelshin Kwe Myi Kwi Lahu Lai (H aka Chin) Laizao Lashi (La Chit) Lawhtu Laymyo Lhinbu Lisu Lushei (Lushay) Lyente Magun Maingtha Malin Manu Manaw Man Zi Maramagyi Maru (Lawgore) Matu Maw Shan Meithei (Kathe) Mgan Mi-er Miram (Mara) Moken (Salon; Salone) Mon Monnepwa Monpwa Mon Kayin (Sarpyu) Mro Naga Ngorn Oo-Pu Paku Palaung Pale Pa-Le-Chi Panun Pa-O Pyin Rakhine (Arakanese) Rawang Rongtu Saing Zan Saline Sentang Sgaw Shan Shan Gale Shan Gyi Shu (Pwo) Son Tai-Loi Tai-Lem Tai-Lon Tai-Lay Taishon Ta-Lay-Pwa Tanghkul Tapong Taron Taungyo Tay-Zan Thado Thet Tiddim (Hai-Dim) Torr (Tawr) Wa (Va) Wakim (Mro) Yabein Yao Yaw Yin Baw Yin Gog Yin Kya Yin Net Yin Talai Yun (Lao) Za-How Zahnyet (Zanniet) Zayein Zizan Zo Zo-Pe Zotung v d e Ethnic groups in Laos by language family Vietic Bo Chut (May) Kinh Krih Liha Maleng Muong Phong Phon Sung (Aheu) Thavung Tum Lao-Tai Lao Lu Phuan Phu Thai Saek Tai Daeng (Red Tai) Tai Dam (Black Tai) Tai Maen Tai Na Monhmer Alak Bit Brau (Lavae) Bru Ca Tu Doi Htin Jeng Kaleung Kataang Keu Khang Khamu Kuy Lamet Laven Lavy Makong Mlabri Nghe Nyaheun O Du Oy Pacoh Samtao (Kiorr) Sedang Sou Talieng Ta Oi Xinh Mun (Puoc) Yae (Jeh) Hmongao Hmong Lanten Yao Chinese languages Ho Tibeto-Burman Akha Hani Kado Kaduo Lahu Phana' Phunoi Sila v d e Ethnic groups in Thailand by language family Tai Isan Khorat Thai Khn Lanna Lao Lao Ga Lao Krang Lao Lom Lao Loum Lao Ngaew Lao Song Lao Ti Lao Wieng Lu Northeastern Thai Northern Thai Nyaw Nyong Phu Thai Phuan Saek Shan Southern Thai Tai Bueng Tai Daeng (Red Tai) Tai Dam (Black Tai) Tai Gapong Kaleun Tai Na Tai Wang Tai Yuan Thai (Central Thai) Yoy Malayo-Polynesian Cham Malay Moken Moklen Pattani Satun Urak Lawoi Monhmer Bru Chong Kensiu Khmer Kintaq Kuy Mani (Negrito) Mon Nyahkur (Nyah Kur, Chao-bon) Nyeu Pear Sa'och So Vietnamese Khmuic Khmu Lua Mlabri Phai Pray Tin Palaungic Blang Lamet Lawa Mok Palaung (De'ang) Tibeto-Burman Akha Bamar Bisu Karen Kayah Lahu Lisu Lolo (Yi) Mpi Pa'o Phrae Pwo Phunoi Pwo S'gaw Ugong Chin ese Chinese (general) Cantonese Hakka Han Hokkien Teochew Hmong-Mien Hmong Yao/Iu Mien Other Indian Japanese Korean Farang Portuguese Persian v d e Ethnic groups in Vietnam by language family Vietic Ch Mg Th Vi (Kinh) Kradai B Y Giy Lo L Nung Sn Chay Ty Thi C Lao La Ch La Ha Pu Po Hmongao Dao H'Mng P Th Monhmer Ba Na Bru Bru-Vn Ki Ch Ro Co C Ho C Tu Gi Tring Hr Khng Khmer Kh M M Mng M'Nng u R Mm T i Xinh Mun X ng Xting Chinese Hoa Ngi Sn Du Malayo-Polynesian (Nhm ngn ng Nam o) Chm Chu Ru - Jarai Ra Glai Tibeto-Burman (Nhm Tng) Cg H Nh La H L L Ph L Si La External links Kammu home page Categories: Ethnic groups in Burma | Ethnic groups in Laos | Ethnic groups in Vietnam | Ethnic groups in China | Khmuic peoplesHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from April 2009
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