The
Kam-Sui peoples are a group of related ethnic groups in
China and neighboring portions of northern
Laos and
Vietnam. They are defined not ethnically but as speakers of
Kam-Sui languages, which belong linguistically to the
Kradai language family.
Kam-Sui of China
Cao Miao people
The
Cao Miao people of
Guizhou,
Hunan and
Guangxi Provinces speak a Kam-Sui language called
Mjiuniang, although it is believed that the people are of
Hmong-Mien descent.
Biao people
Whether or not the
Biao people of China are of Kam-Sui descent is an issue of present debate in the scientific community. They are, however, a
Tai ethnic group.
Kang people
The
Kang people of
Yunnan Province (referred to as Tai Khang in Laos) speak a Kam-Sui language, but ethnically descend from the
Dai people.
Kam-Sui of Vietnam
The following Kam-Sui ethnic groups originating in China have population clusters in Vietnam:
- Dong (also referred to as the Kam people)
- Sui (also referred to as the Shui people in China)
Tai Khang people of Laos
The
Tai Khang people of
Laos (referred to as Kang in China) speak a Kam-Sui language, but ethnically descend from the
Dai people.
