References
 | This Laos-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about an ethnic group in Asia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 9,500 (est.) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Laos, China | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional religion, Theravada Buddhism |
The Khuen (or Khuen, Kuan, Kuanhua, Kween, Khween, Khouen) people are an aboriginal ethnic group of Laos.
The Khuen speak a language also called Khuen, which is a Khmuic language. [1] The Khmuic languages are Austro-Asiatic. [1] There is some debate as to whether the Khmuic languages are of the Mon-Khmer branch, but the majority opinion is that they are not.[ citation needed ]
As a fellow member of the larger Khmuic ethnic group, many aspects of Khuen culture are similar to the Khmu.[ citation needed ] Family names are usually the names of sacred animals or plants. It is taboo for a Khuen person to touch the animal or plant that bears his or her family name.[ citation needed ]
In addition to Theravada Buddhism, they also worship a hierarchy of demons and ghosts. Ancestor worship is also practiced.[ citation needed ]
| | This Laos-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
| | This article about an ethnic group in Asia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |