Phounoi

History of Phou Noi Tribe in Oudomxay Province

Originally, some of the migrant Phou Noi people moved from Myanmar to Laos in the 16^th century because of a war between China and Myanmar in that time. They first moved settled down in Meuang Viengphoukha District, Luang Namtha Province. They had been spending their lives there until the 19^th century. After some years in 1990 to 2001, they moved to Phongsaly and some to Oudomxay Province due to the government policy on livelihood development. Phou Noi people are in 3 Districts: Meuang Xay, Meuang La and Meuang Namor. Based on the statistic collected in 2011, the total population is 2,714 and 1,362 female (40 villages).

They have their own speaking language, but no writing pattern. The Phou Noi language is identified in the sort of China – Tibet. There are quite many Phou Noi sub – tribes with different speaking accents.

The majority of Phoi Noi people are animists, but some are Buddhists. For those who are animists certainly believe in spirit of the father and mother, spirit of the Phou Noi ancestor, spirit of natural power like forest, river and ghost. There is an altar in every house as a family worship place.

The site for a Phou Noi house is chosen with great care, as it important that the site be acceptable to their ancestors. Next the family must gather construction material and all the materials like wood and bamboo must be very strong. The house is always built along the hill and it will be perfect if there is a river nearby. The house is divided into different rooms, for instance, parent’s bedroom, son’s room, daughter’s room and a special room for family guests.

To have a proper funeral is of great importance to Phou Noi, for as a result the soul will prosper in the afterworld. It is preferable to die in one’s own home or, at least in the home of a clansman. When death seems imminent, close relatives gather around the dying person for mutual comfort, and for sharing the many duties that arise when death occurs. When an animist dies, the corpse will be buried and the Buddhist will be burned in a Buddhist way.

Each baby is said to be sent to this world by a god ‘Baby Goddess’ The first three days of its life it still belongs to the spirit world, and if it dies no funeral held.

After birth the father calls in an elder to hold a ceremony. Two chickens are sacrificed as an offering of thanks to God, and to invite the soul to take up permanent residence within the child’s body and in the parental household. This serves to adopt the child into the world of human beings, and formally accept it into the parent’s kinship group. The baby is then given a name and introduced to the household sprits, who are expected from that moment to give it protection.

The birth takes place in the couple’s bedroom, and no one but the midwife or husband can be present to assist in her delivery. The woman sits on two stools on the sleeping platform with her body covered by a blanket, learning on her husband for support. The child drops onto the springy bamboo, which cushions its fall and also, they say, helps the child to start breathing. The Phou Noi are known for their dexterity in turning the child in the womb if the position is not correct.

The mother lies near the fire of the main fireplace for three days after giving birth, then may return to her bedroom. For 20 days she should eat nothing but chicken, pork and rice, as it is believed that chicken and pork will help her recover her strength quickly, and other food might poison her. After a month she returns to the fields to work and may resume sleeping with her husband.