The Nyaw or Tai Nyaw (Thai/Isan: ไทญ้อ, IPA: tʰɑj ɲɔː) are an ethnic group of Thailand and Laos, scattered throughout the provinces of Isan such as Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and parts of areas of Bolikhamxai and Khammouan provinces of Laos. They are also referred to as simply Nyaw or Yaw, depending on either the Lao, Isan, and Nyaw pronunciation, which all pronounce the initial consonant as (ɲ), or the Thai pronunciation, which pronounces the initial consonant as (j).

History

The Tai Nyaw believe that they are descendants of people originally from the northernmost part of Laos and Tonkin or immigrants during Tai migrations from Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan Province. Whatever the case may be, their dialect most closely resembles the Lao dialects from the regions east of Luang Prabang.

Language

The Nyaw language is very similar to the Lao language, which is referred to as the Isan language in Thailand. It is most similar to the Phuthai language also spoken within the same regions. Most Nyaw are often also fluent in Thai and Lao, or its Thai variant Isan.

Religion

The Tai Nyaw practise Theravada Buddhism, but have also maintained their original animist religion. Important to the Nyaw people is the tutelary spirit of the village, known in the dialect as ผู้เจ้า (IPA: pʰuː tɕaw).