Yang People

The Yang people, also known as the Nhang or Nyang (autonym: jaŋ˩˧), are a Tai-speaking ethnic group of Phongsaly Province, northwestern Laos. Chazee (1998) reports that they number 5,843 people as of 2015.[1] The Yang are heavily influenced by Tai Lue culture, although the Yang of Namo Nua village, Oudomxay province are more heavily influenced by Tai Dam people culture (Chazee 1998:23).

Jerold Edmondson (1997)[2] has reported that the Buyang people of southern China claim to have relatives in Phongsaly province, Laos. It is not known whether the Yang of Laos are indeed related to the Buyang of China. The Yang Zhuang of southwestern Guangxi, China are also similarly named, as well as some groups in northwestern Vietnam that are called “Nhắng”.[3]

Distribution
The Yang are distributed in the following villages of Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, and Oudomxay provinces (Chazee 1998). Kingsada (1999) covers the Yang (jaŋ˩˧) language of Long Ngai Kao village, Bun Neua District, Phongsaly Province, Laos.[4]

Phongsaly
Khua District: Mone Savanh, Hat Xeui
Gnot Ou District: Xum Kham, Tha
Boun Tai District: Na Mak, Na Tene, Vieng Xai, Long Nam, Long Nay Khao
Boun Neua District: Muong Xou
Oudomxay
Beng District: Khone
Namo District: Ay, Sonsavath, Ponxay Savan, Namo Neua
Xay District: Long Ya
Luang Namtha
Vieng Poukha District: Nam Fa
Nale District: Nam Huay
Yang culture is best preserved in Vieng Poukha and Nale districts of Luang Namtha province (Chazee 1998).