Lamet people

The Lamet people are an ethnic group in Thailand and Laos.

Name Variations

Lamet are also often referred to as:^{[citation needed]}

• Lamed
• Khamet
• Khamed

Geographic Distribution

There are approximately 22,000 Lamet in the Louang Namtha Province, Oudomxai and Bokeo Provinces of Laos.^{[citation needed]} There are also approximately 100 Lamet in Thailand in the Chiang Rai and Lampang Provinces. ^{[citation needed]}There are also 90 Lamet in the United States and 30 in France.^{[citation needed]} In Laos, the Lamet are a hill tribe.

Origin

The Lamet claim to be an indigenous population to northwestern Laos.^[1] They are a Palaungic ethnic group.

Language

The Lamet speak an Austroasiatic language related to Palaung and Wa.^[1] Most adult males also speak Tai Yuan.^[1]

Economy

The Lamet practice slash-and-burn agriculture, as well as hunting, gathering and fishing.^[1] The Lamet trade with the Lao and Thai to obtain their necessaries.^[1] Some Lamet also work for wages.^[1]

Religions

• Animism^{[citation needed]}

Marriage customs

After marriage, the newly married Lamet man moves into his wife's family home and works for her father. He then begins to make marriage payments up to a fixed amount, after which the couple either moves in with the husband's parents, or the couple makes a new household.^{[citation needed]}

Significance of Wealth

Wealth is considered an important characteristic among male Lamet. For the Lamet, weatlh is measured by one's inventory of buffalo, chimes, and bronze drums.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 World Culture Encyclopedia-Lamet