Lü

The Lϋ are a Tai people primarily residing in Yunnan province, China, with populations also found in Myanmar, Laos, northern Thailand, and Vietnam. They speak Tai languages and, like most Tai groups, are predominantly Theravada Buddhists. Their villages often center around a wat, serving as both social and religious hubs. Alongside Buddhism, animistic beliefs in spirits are prevalent. The Lϋ economy is based on rice cultivation, and their social structure is characterized by a high status for women and the absence of a caste system. Historically, the Tai people originated in the Yangtze River valley before migrating south due to Chinese pressures.1