Kam–Sui peoples
The Kam-Sui peoples are a group of related ethnic groups in China and neighboring portions of northern Laos and Vietnam. They are defined as speakers of Kam-Sui languages, which belong linguistically to the Kradai language family, rather than genetically.
Kam-Sui of China
- Bouyei of Guizhou Province (including Ai-Cham, Mak and T'en, although most Bouyei are nuclear Tai)
- Dong of Guizhou, Hunan and Guangxi Provinces (also referred to as the Kam people)
- Mulao of Guizhou Province
- Maonan of Guangxi Province
- Sui of Guizhou, Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces (also spelled "Shui")
Cao Miao people
The Cao Miao people of Guizhou, Hunan and Guangxi Provinces speak a Kam-Sui language called Mjiuniang, although it is believed that the people are of Hmong-Mien descent.
Biao people
Whether or not the Biao people of China are of Kam-Sui descent is an issue of present debate in the scientific community. They are, however, a Tai ethnic group.
Kang people
The Kang people of Yunnan Province (referred to as Tai Khang in Laos) speak a Kam-Sui language, but ethnically descend from the Dai people.
Kam-Sui of Vietnam
The following Kam-Sui ethnic groups originating in China have population clusters in Vietnam:
- Dong (also referred to as the Kam people)
- Sui (also referred to as the Shui people in China)
Tai Khang people of Laos
The Tai Khang people of Laos (referred to as Kang in China) speak a Kam-Sui language, but ethnically descend from the Dai people.