Si La people

The Si La are an ethnic group of about 3,151 people living in northern Laos and another 600 living in two villages: Nậm Sin and Seo Hay of Lai Châu Province, Northwest region, Vietnam. In Vietnam, the Si La people are recognized as one of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, with a population of 909 according to the 2019 census.

Culture

The Si La people speak a Tibeto-Burman language closely related to Hani. Their primary occupation is the cultivation of cereals, augmented by hunting and foraging. One of the most distinctive Si La customs is tooth painting: men traditionally painted their teeth red, while women painted theirs black. The custom is increasingly uncommon among the younger generation.