Phongsaly Province

Phôngsali
ຜົ້ງສາລີ
Province

Phongsali, the capital city
Map of Phôngsali Province
Map of Phôngsali Province
Map showing location of Phôngsali Province in Laos
Location of Phôngsali Province in Laos
Coordinates: 21°41′00″N 102°06′00″E / 21.683333°N 102.1°E / 21.683333; 102.1Coordinates: 21°41′00″N 102°06′00″E / 21.683333°N 102.1°E / 21.683333; 102.1
Country  Laos
Capital Phôngsali
Area
 • Total 16,925 km2 (6,535 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)
 • Total 177,989
 • Density 11/km2 (27/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+07
ISO 3166 code LA-PH

Phôngsali (Lao ຜົ້ງສາລີ) is a province of Laos, located in the extreme north of the country. The capital of the province is the city of Phôngsali. Phôngsali is located between Yunnan (China), and Điện Biên Province in Vietnam. Its culture has thus been historically heavily influenced by China.[1]

Phongsali Province covers an area of 16,270 square kilometres (6,280 sq mi), out of which 77% has forest cover. The province borders China to the north and west, Vietnam to the east, Luang Prabang Province to the south, and Oudomxai Province to the southwest. The highest mountain in the province is Phou Doychy with an elevation of 1,842 metres (6,043 ft) Protected areas in the province include the Phou Dene Din National Biodiversity Conservation Area and Nam Lan Conservation Area.[2] Agriculture is the mainstay of the people of the province. Phôngsali is the primary trade gateway between Laos and China, exporting lumber and importing several types of finished goods.

History

The Phu Noi left Muang Sing or Burma and arrived in Phongsaly at the end of the 18th century.[3] The Hmong settled in Phongsaly at the end of the 19th century, having migrated from southern China.[4] In 1895, a Sino-French treaty transferred the Tai Lue's Sip Song Phan Na principalities of Phongsaly and Muang Sing to French Laos.[5] Between 1908 and 1910, the Tai Lue conducted a revolt against colonial authority. When it ended, the colonial military assumed full authority in Phongsaly.[6] In 1936, Sithon Kommadam and his brother, Kamphanh were jailed in Phongsaly because of their participation in their father's (Ong Kommandam) 1934–1936 armed revolt against the French.[7] After Sithon's release in 1945, he established resistance bases in Phongsaly, soon making contact with the Viet Minh.[8] The Communists came into power in 1954 in the province; within six years, the Phunoy began experiencing Buddhist religious purges.[9] Subsequent to the 1954 Geneva Accords, Communist Pathet Lao forces in Phongsaly province were provided with regrouping zones. Phongsaly was integrated into the Royal Lao Government on December 18, 1957.[10]

Geography

Phongsali Province covers an area of 16,270 square kilometres (6,280 sq mi), out of which 77% has forest cover.[1] The province borders China to the north and west, Vietnam to the east, Luang Prabang Province to the south, and Oudomxai Province to the southwest.[11] It is located high in the mountains, approximately 450–1,800 metres (1,480–5,910 ft) above sea level. The highest mountain in the province is Phou Doychy with an elevation of 1,842 metres (6,043 ft).[2] The Phou Fa hill, at 1,625 metres (5,331 ft), is near the capital city and has road access to the top from where vistas of the city are viewable. The top of the mountain is also approached by 431 steps.[1] Because of economic commerce with China, large portions of the province have been deforested.[2]

Phongsali is characterized by a relatively cool climate. Weather in the province is described as “four seasons in a single day” with cold mornings and evenings, humidity during the day, and rains in the afternoon, which has created lush green forests.[1]

Protected areas

Large areas of the province’s forests in Phou Den Din NBCA have plentiful wildlife but no human habitation.[2]

The 126,880 hectare Phou Dendin Important Bird Area (IBA) is located within the 222,000 hectare Phou Dene Din NBCA. The IBA altitude varies between 500–1,900 metres (1,600–6,200 ft) above sea level. Topographical elements include the Nam Ou River and its catchment, the area at the confluence of the Nam Khang River, mountainous terrain, and slopes. The habitat is characterized by unbroken dry evergreen forest and inland wetlands. Notable avifauna includes Blyth's kingfisher (Alcedo hercules), brown dipper (Cinclus pallasii), brown hornbill (Anorrhinus tickelli), crested kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris), great hornbill (Buceros bicornis), lesser fish eagle (Ichthyophaga humilis), and rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis).[12]

Administrative divisions

The province is made up of the following districts (mueang):[1]

Map Code Name Lao Population (2015)
02-01Phongsaly Districtຜົ້ງສາລີ23,337
02-02May Districtໃໝ່26,361
02-03Khoua Districtຂວາ26,164
02-04Samphanh Districtສຳພັນ24,420
02-05Boun Neua Districtບຸນເໜືອ22,285
04-06Yot Ou Districtຍອດອູ31,145
02-07Boun Tay Districtບຸນໃຕ້24,277

The northernmost district of the province is Yot Ou, which has a population of 31,000 spread over 98 villages made up of 11 ethnic groups. The majority of the people are agriculturists. The Lao-Chinese Border Checkpoint is at Lan Tui, which is designated by landmark No. 7.[1]

Demographics

The population of the province is 165,926 as of the March 2005 census.[13] There are 13 minority ethnic groups with independent language and culture identity: Khammu, Thai Dam, Thai Daeng, Yao, Leu, Hor, Hmong, Akha, Yang, Bid, Lolo and others.[2] Each group has its own practices in respect to marriage customs as well as specific handicrafts, silverware and jewelry.[1]

Languages

Other than the national language Lao, various minority languages are spoken in Phongsaly province, most of which belong to the Tai (Tai-Kadai), Hanoish (Tibeto-Burman), and Khmuic (Austroasiatic) branches. The table below lists the languages surveyed in Kingsada (1999), Shintani (2001), and Kato (2008), with autonyms and informant birth places given as well. All languages are spoken in Phongsaly province unless indicated otherwise.

Languages of Phongsaly
Language Autonym Branch Locations Source
Lü taj31 lɯ13 Tai U Neua village Kingsada (1999)
Yang jaŋ13 Tai Long Ngai Kao village, Bun Tay District Kingsada (1999)
Tai Nä taj53 nə35 Tai Lantui village, Nyot U District Shintani (2001)
Tai Lam kon55 taj55 lam22 Tai Huayhok village, Nambak District, Luangphabang province Shintani (2001)
Phunoi of Phongxaly phu21 noiʔ44 Phunoi Phongxaly town, Phongxaly District Kingsada (1999)
Phunoi of Bun Tay phu21 noi44 (bɑ21) Phunoi Langne village, Bun Tay District Kingsada (1999)
Phongku phɔŋ33 ku55 bɔ11 Phunoi Phongku Long, Bun Tay District Kingsada (1999)
Lao-Pan law33 pan11 ba11 Phunoi Phaophumuang village, Bun Tay District Kingsada (1999)
Lao-Seng lao21 sɛŋ21 Phunoi Chaho village, Bun Tay District Kingsada (1999)
Laoseng kha55 Phunoi Namnat village, Nyot U District Kato (2008)
Pisu (Lao-Phai) pi33 su44 Phunoi Phudokcham village, Phongxaly District Kingsada (1999)
Phu-Lawa phɔŋ33 ku55 Phunoi Phongkulong village, Bun Tay District Shintani (2001)
Phongset phoŋ33 set55 Phunoi Phongset village, Bun Neua District Shintani (2001)
Phunyot phu21 ȵɔt11 Phunoi Namkang village, Namo District, Oudomxai province Kato (2008)
Ko-Pala pa33 la33 tshɔ55 ja11 Akha Sen Kham village, Khua District Kingsada (1999)
Ko-Oma kɔ33 ɔ55 ma11 Akha Nana village, Phongxaly District Kingsada (1999)
Ko-Phuso kɔ33 phɯ55 sɔ33 Akha Phapung Kao village, Bun Neua District Kingsada (1999)
Ko-Puli a11 kha11 pu33 li11 Akha Culaosaen Kao village, Bun Tay District Kingsada (1999)
Ko-Chipia a11 kha11 cɛ11 pja11 Akha Sano Kao village, Bun Tay District Kingsada (1999)
Ko-Eupa ɯ21 pa21 Akha Cabe village, Bun Tay District Shintani (2001)
Ko-Nyaü a11 kha11 ȵa11 ɯ55 Akha Huayphot village, Khua District Shintani (2001)
Ko-Luma lu21 ma21 Akha Lasamay village, Samphan District Shintani (2001)
Sida (Sila) go55 ɯ55 a11 ma11 Akha Chaohoi village, Nyot U District; Phongsai village, Bun Neua District Kingsada (1999)
Sida si33 la33 Akha Longthang village, Nyot U District; Sida village, Luang Namtha District, Luang Namtha province Shintani (2001)
Sila ko55 ɯ21 Akha Namsing village, Nyot U District Kato (2008)
Wanyä (Muchi) wa11 ȵə11 Akha Ipoeching village, Bun Tay District Shintani (2001)
Hani ha21 ȵi21 Akha Sikaoho village, Nyot U District Kato (2008)
Akha Nukui a21 kha21, nu21 ɣø21 a21 kha21 Akha Kungci village, Nyot U District Kato (2008)
Muteun mɔ21 tɯ21 Other Loloish Hunapha village, Namo District, Oudomxai province Kato (2008)
Khongsat su55 ma33 Other Loloish Sutko village, Namo District, Oudomxai province Kato (2008)
Khir la21 ja21 Other Loloish Kang village, Nyot U District Kato (2008)
Phusang pa33 za33 Other Loloish Phusangkao village, Samphan District Kato (2008)
Lolo lo21 lo33 pho21 Other Loloish - Kato (2008)
Khabit khaa bet Khmuic Nale village, Bun Neua District Kingsada (1999)
Khmu kh(ə)m̥muʔ Khmuic Tangkok village, Khua District Kingsada (1999)
Then pram thɛɛn Khmuic Then Sa village, Wiangkham District, Luangphabang province Shintani (2001)
Ho xan13 tshu11 Sinitic Wat Keo village, Phongxaly District Kingsada (1999)

Economy

Street in Phongsali

Agriculture is the mainstay of the people of the province. Phôngsali is the primary trade gateway between Laos and China, exporting lumber and importing several types of finished goods. There are also several Chinese manufacturing companies in the province, along with other foreign investment.[1]

As an economic activity 24 villages have been identified to install mini hydro-power projects with pico-turbines to provide electric supply utilizing the hydro power potential of the hilly areas which have good monsoon rainfall. Local material will be used for construction of civil works and villagers trained to plan, implement and operate the units including maintenance of all components of the project covering transmission lines also. The objective is to reduce poverty among the rural poor of the remote villages. The project is proposed for implementation at a cost of Euro 210,000 with 48% financing by the Energy and Environment Partnership (EEP)of Mekong with Electriciens Sand Frontieres as lead partner. The project is slated for implementation over a 20 months period.[14]

In order to reduce the addiction to opium, the United Nations Organization on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) introduced the Phongsaly Alternative Development Fund Project for Opium Elimination covering 30 villages in Khoua and Mai districts, and also minimise opium addiction in 60 villages in Samphan district, through alternative development activities. During the final years of the 20th century, 3,872 ha of the province had opium poppy cultivation (20% of the national total production) with 513 villages out of 611 growing opium with an addiction rate of 5.6%. In spite of government ban on opium poppy cultivation, Phongsaly has the maximum number of districts below the poverty line, and is one of the major opium producing provinces in the country.[15]

Landmarks

Important landmarks in the province are the Wat Ou-Tai Temple, the Wat Luang Ou-Neua Temple and the That Phou Xay Stupa.[1]

The Wat Ou-Tai Temple is in the Ban Ou- Tai village. It was built by Praya Chakkawattiraja and is said to be 500 years old. The Hor Thane Keo, inside the monastery, is a specific sanctum where Buddha images are deified. This sanctum is built with mud and has many types of decorations retained in its original form. The wooden columns of the shrine are supported over on stone blocks; these also have been elegantly designed and painted with drawings of daggers, swords, flowers and flags, and all carved in wood. There is a shrine built in brick masonry within the monastery complex which is called “ Ou Bo Sot” (meaning a place where monks meet and conduct religious rites) by the Tai Lue ethnic groups.[1]

Wat Luang Ou-Neua Temple is also an old and highly revered temple built about 500 years ago in Ban Ou Neua village. The temple has a double overlapping roof in the Lue architecture style and is very impressive. The temple is adorned with traditional fine art techniques and houses A large Buddha image and small Buddha statues are deified inside this temple.[1]

That Phou Xay Stupa is at the top of a hill, approached by walking up 400 steps.[1]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Phongsali.
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Phongsaly Province". Lao Tourism Organization. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 The Lao National Tourism Administration. "Phongsaly Province". Ecotourism Laos. GMS Sustainable Tourism Development Project in Lao PDR. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  3. ↑ Michaud 2006, p. 193.
  4. ↑ Tan 2007, p. 354.
  5. ↑ Michaud 2006, p. 21.
  6. ↑ Michaud 2006, p. 147.
  7. ↑ Michaud 2006, p. 218.
  8. ↑ Pholsena 2006, p. 41.
  9. ↑ Williams & Ladwig 2012, p. 100.
  10. ↑ Van Dijk 2008, p. 531-532.
  11. ↑ Maps (Map). Google Maps.
  12. ↑ "Important Bird Areas factsheet: Phou Dendin". BirdLife International. 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  13. ↑ "Provinces of Laos". Statoids.com. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  14. ↑ "Green Electricity for 24 villages of the Phonsalay district , Phonsalay Province, Laos" (PDF). Energy and Environment Partnership (EEP)of Mekong. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  15. ↑ "Phongsaly Alternative Development Fund Project". United Nations Organization on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Retrieved 2 December 2012.

Bibliography

Languages
 Yunnan,  China
Điện Biên Province,  Vietnam
   Phongsaly Province  
Oudomxay Province Luang Prabang Province
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