Mal people
Encyclopedia
The Mal are an aboriginal ethnic group
in Laos and Thailand.
. The Khmuic languages are Austro-Asiatic
. 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.
involving ancestor worship.
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
in Laos and Thailand.
Language
The Mal speak a language also called Mal, which is a Khmuic languageKhmuic languages
Khmuic languages are a subgroup of the Mon–Khmer languages.*Khao: Khao, Bit *Mlabri: Mlabri, Yumbri*Xinh Mul: Khang, Phong-Kniang, Puoc...
. The Khmuic languages are Austro-Asiatic
Austro-Asiatic languages
The Austro-Asiatic languages, in recent classifications synonymous with Mon–Khmer, are a large language family of Southeast Asia, also scattered throughout India and Bangladesh. The name Austro-Asiatic comes from the Latin words for "south" and "Asia", hence "South Asia"...
. 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: 23,193 in Xaignabouli Province
- Population in Thailand: 4,700
- Population in United States: Unknown
Religion
The Mal largely practice traditional folk religionFolk religion
Folk religion consists of ethnic or regional religious customs under the umbrella of an organized religion, but outside of official doctrine and practices...
involving ancestor worship.