Wikipedia
Taineua is one of the Tai ethnicity in South East Asia.
Some of Taineua escaped depredation from China during early 19th century and divided into 3 different routes as they reached Laos, Thailand and Burma.
Today, there are still most of the Taineua living in China. The number is estimated at around 700,000 to 1,500,000.
There are Taineua in Laos; Thailand, Burma, Vietnam and the United States of America today.
Taineua was one of many ethnics in China who prospered during 17th and 18th century. There are still many Taineua villages in China that are still preserving their own heritages.
Taineua had many warlords of their own which they referred to as Jao Fa ( Lord of Sky ) There were many Jao Fa or Khun descent to as late as early 19th century. Many of their main cities are Meung Ka, Meung Pan, Meung Lo, Meung Voe etc... In Yunnan Province today. There are still many Taineua villages in China that are still preserving their own heritages.
Though Taineua in China are considered as very small minority group, they still have many of their relatives living in many countries in South East Asia, Europe and America.
Taineua in Laos can be visited in all 5 villages such as: Ban Koum, Ban Patoy, Ban Nam Keoluang, Ban Siriheuang and Ban Tong Mai.
There are as many as 16 villages of Tainuea people living in Kiang Tung ( Xiang Tung ) Burma. five of the villages located right inside the town of Xiang Tung such as: Xao Paed, Bo Heua, Nong Kham, Pa Laeng and Suan Luang.
They are Buddhist and have their own culture and tradition language and literature. As many festivities such as celebration of New Year " Jin Leun Sam " which is normally falling on the first day of the third month of lunar calendar. New year celebration is consider very important festival in the Tai Neua tradition. Any body living apart from the hometown would return for the celebration with the family and friends.
The festivities could go on a week long with many activities such as riding swing set " Ki Tong Ja "; Top playing and competitions " Toh Mark Khang " and tossing bean bags " Peak Gon " . This is the time for all the kids to ask for forgiveness from their elders " Su Ma " by preparing a plate off offering with flowers, candles, incenses. The kids then kneel in front of elders and offer the plate with asking for intentional or unintentional mishaps that they may have imposed upon their elders, then the elders would give them the word of forgiveness and bless them with New Year's blessings and tie their wrists with white string to signify the sacrament of the procession.
It is also the time for Taineua people to make traditional cake such as Sesame rice cake " Khao Pook Nga "; rice ball cake " Kao Ke Mah " and people would invite friends and family to join with special meals throughout the week long until the very first day of New Year " Meu Ho Leun Sam " then the festivity will be held at the temple for the big and final celebration with the blessing of the monks.
Since Laos civil war in the middle of 1960, some Taineua had fled Muang Sing to escape newly communist control in Muang Sing to Bokeo province and settled in 25 km to the North of Ban Houeisai called Ban Namkeung Mai. This little slope area along the Mekong river is first settle by Yao or Mien ethnic during the CIA war. Chao La was chief of this village. His family and the families of other Mien officials and military members. Taineua fled from Muangsing during 1965 to settle in Nam Keung Mai with few families then when Nam Touiy was lost to communist in early 1973 all of Taineua in Nam Touiy fled to join the rest of Tainuea in Ban Namkeung Mai. Though, a few families had fled to other countries after Laos lost its war to total communist control in early 1975. Those who fled from Ban Namkeung Mai are now reside in America, France, Switzerland and Canada. Today, more than 30 of Taineua families still living in Ban Namkeung Mai, Laos. Ban Namkeung Mai has become the 6th village of Tainuea in Laos.
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