Lahu

A language of China

Black Lahu, Kaixien, Kucong, Kutsong, Lahu Na, Lahuna, Laku, Moso, Muhso, Muhsur, Mussar, Musser Dam, Musso, Mussur, Na, Namen, Northern Lahu, “Lohei” (pej.)

Autonym

Ladhof

User Population

280,000 in China (Bradley 2007b). Ethnic population: 486,000 (2010 census). Includes Kucong [lkc], Lahu Shi [lhi], Lamu [llh], Laomian [lwm], and Lawu [lwu] (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 543,300.

Location

Yunnan province: Lincang prefecture, Gengma Dai, and Va autonomous counties; Simao prefecture, Lahu, Lancang Lahu, Menglian Dai, and Va autonomous counties.

Language Maps

Southwestern China

Laos

Eastern Central Myanmar

Northern Thailand

Northwestern Viet Nam

Language Status

4 (Educational). Language of recognized nationality: Lahu.

Classification

Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Ngwi, Central

Dialects

Standard dialect: Na. Black Lahu dialect and Lahu Shi [lhi] have difficult intelligibility. Lahu Shi and Kucong Lahupu (White Lahu dialect, in Zhenyuan County, China) are distinct.

Typology

SOV; noun head initial; classifiers; dual number; aspect; causatives; 24 consonants and 9 vowels; tonal (7 tones).

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Blang [blr]. Also use Hani [hni]. Also use Lü [khb]. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Also use Vo Wa [wbm]. Used as L2 by Lahu Shi [lhi], Laomian [lwm], Sangkong [sgk], Shuhi [sxg], Vo Wa [wbm].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 63%. Literacy rate in L2: Low in Chinese. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1989.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Lahu

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Buddhist, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Laos

Language NameLahu

User Population

19,200 in Laos (2015 census), increasing, based on ethnicity.

Location

Bokeo province: Houayxay, Peung, and Tonpheung districts; Luang Namtha province: Long district.

Alternate Names

Muhso, Museu, Musso, Mussur

Dialects

White Lahu (Lahu Phu).

Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Language Use

Vigorous. Also use Lao [lao]. Used as L2 by Kim Mun [mji], Phana’ [phq].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

View other languages of Laos

Myanmar

Language NameLahu

User Population

200,000 in Myanmar (2012 D. Bradley), increasing.

Location

Shan state: Kentung district.

Alternate Names

Black Lahu, Lahu Na, Lahuna, Launa, Muhso, Museu, Musser Dam, Musso, Mussur, Na, “Lohei” (pej.)

Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Also use Shan [shn], which was formerly used by most. Used as L2 by Lahu Shi [lhi], Parauk Wa [prk], Pyen [pyy].

Language Development

Literacy classes in some communities.

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.

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Thailand

Language NameLahu

User Population

32,000 in Thailand (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).

Location

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Mae Hong Son, Yala provinces: 119 known villages.

Alternate Names

Muhso, Muhsur, Mussar, Musso, Mussuh, “Lohei” (pej.)

Dialects

Lahu Na (Black Lahu, Loheirn, Musser Dam, Northern Lahu), Nyi (Lahu Nyi, Lahunyi, Musseh Daeng, Red Lahu, Southern Lahu), Shehleh (Lahu Shehleh).

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use Thai [tha]. Used as L2 by Akha [ahk].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Traditional religion, Christian.

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Vietnam

Language NameLahu

User Population

12,100 in Vietnam (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Location

Lai Chau province: northwest border with Laos. North of Muong Te city near China border, at Ban Kiem Tra, Phu Nam Ma, Phu Nam Cau, and Phu Nam Ha (Black Lahu); Muong Te, east of Nha Ca, 1 village (White Lahu).

Alternate Names

Kaixien, Lahuna, Laku, Launa, Mooso, Muhso, Mussar, Musso, Mussuh, Namen, “Lohei” (pej.)

Dialects

Black Lahu (Khucong, Lahu Na, Musser Dam, Na), Red Lahu (Lahu Nyi, Musseh Daeng, Nyi), Shehleh, White Lahu (Lahu Phung).

Language Status

6b* (Threatened). Language of recognized ethnic group: La Hu.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. La Hu is an official ethnic community. Distinct from Lahu Shi (Yellow Lahu) [lhi]. One source called them White Lahu. It is not clear if these are the same as Red Lahu, Black Lahu. Traditional religion.

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A language of China

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