Editing Northern Thai people (section)

==Culture==
===Language===
[[File:Chiang Mai Thailand Chiang-Mai-University Main-Library-01.jpg|thumb|The Tai Tham or Lanna script, featured on a sign of the Chiang Mai University]]
The Tai Yuan speak the [[Northern Thai language]], also known as Kham Mueang and Lanna, which is like Lao and Thai one of the [[Tai languages]]. Northern Tai is similar to the [[Tai Lue language]], which is mainly located in the south of [[Yunnan]] but also present in the northern areas of [[Vietnam]], Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, and to the [[Khün language]], located in the eastern part of the [[Shan State]] of Myanmar.

The Northern Tai language has its own writing system, the [[Tai Tham script]], which is also called the Lanna script. The script is still taught to Lao Buddhist monks. After being banned from schools as part of the [[thaification]] process, the script has recently been rediscovered by the population. It is believed by the Tai Yuan that the script has divine powers, and tattoos and amulets written in Tai Tham are thought to possess particular powers.

===Religion===
[[File:Wat Chet Yot 14 vihan B Nagas and Makaras.JPG|thumb|[[Nāga]]s and [[Makara]]s in front of a [[Vihara|Wihan]] of the [[Wat Chet Yot]] in Chiang Mai (established in the 15th century under King Tilokaraj). Mythological creatures used as decoration for stairs are typical of the classical Lan Na architecture.]]
The Tai Yuan have practiced [[Theravada Buddhism]] for several centuries. Chiang Mai is historically one of the places where Lanna sacred art has developed the most, with ancient temples and [[Buddha]] sculptures. In Laos, religious practices have returned to normal after the obstacles posed by the communist government in the first years after the seizure of power in 1975. Traditionally the Tai Yuan, like most Tai peoples, have remained clinging to their [[Tai folk religion|animist roots]]. Small sanctuaries dedicated to this belief scattered throughout the territory are still frequented by devotees who ask for the protection of the spirits. Many of the private gardens also have a spirit house which is stocked daily with votive offerings.

A widespread cult among the Tai Yuan is that of the spirit of Chao Luang Kham Daeng, which is passed down through two legends. The first describes him as a human being sent by the god [[Indra]] to become king and teach Buddhist precepts to his subjects. In this capacity he founded the city Lanna, became its ruler and on his death he was placed by the citizens of Chiang Mai at the helm of the protective spirits of the city. The second legend reports that Chao Luang Kham Daeng is the lord of the [[ogre]]s who guard the treasure of the sacred cave of Chiang Dao. It is assumed that the second legend comes from the tradition of the [[Lawa people]], the people that had settled in the Chiang Mai area before its foundation and the arrival of the Tai Yuan.<ref name=khamdaeng>[http://www.manusya.journals.chula.ac.th/files/essay/Nittaya_p.87-104.pdf ''Dynamics of power of space in the Tai-Yuan Chao Luang Kham Daeng spirit cult''],  manusya.journals.chula.ac.th</ref>

<gallery>
File:Thailand lacquerware.JPG|Lacquerware from Chiang Mai
File:Seung.jpg|Traditional Northern Thai musical instruments
File:Lanna cuisine starters.JPG|A selection of typical starters of Lanna cuisine
File:Thai dancer Chiang Mai 2005 003.jpg|A traditional Tai Yuan dance, ฟ้อนเล็บ
</gallery>