Khun Borom - Scholarship

Scholarship

Some interpreters of the story of Khun Borom believe that it describes Tai-speaking peoples arriving in Southeast Asia from China (mythically identified with heaven, from which the Tai chiefs emerge after the flood). The system of dividing and expanding a kingdom in order to provide for the sons of a ruler agrees in general with the apparent organization and succession practices of ancient Tai village groups was called mueang.

Khun Bourom Maharasa dynasty - The great King of the Nan Chao (Ai Lao) Empire. Khun Borom had nine sons, and seven of them became kings in different kingdoms in "Lamthong":

  1. "Khun Lor" ruled Moung Sawa (Sua), (Luang Phrabang, Laos)
  2. "Khun Palanh" ruled Sipsong Panna, (Yunnan, China)
  3. "Khun Chusong" ruled Tung Kea, (Muang Huao-Phanh to Tonkin, Vietnam)
  4. "Khun Saiphong" ruled Lanna, (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
  5. "Khun Ngua In" ruled Ayuthaya, (Thailand)
  6. "Khun Lok-Khom" ruled Moung Hongsa (Inthaputh), (Shan state, Burma)
  7. "Khun Chet-Cheang" ruled Moung Phuan, (Xieng Khouang, Laos).

There were 19 kings after Khun Lor who ruled Muang Sawa (Sua). The last one was Khun Vaang.

After his death, his son who was named "Lang", took the throne and was then named "King Langthirath". After King Langthirath died, his son (Thao Khamphong) was crowned as "King Souvanna Khamphong." After King Souvanna Khamphong died, his son "Chao Fifah" or "Khamhiao" took the throne. Chao Fifah (Khamhiao) had six sons and one of them was "Chao Fa-Ngum". King Fa Ngum was the creator of the Lan Xang Kingdom during his reign in the 13th century.

Both King Mangrai of Chiang Mai and Uthong of Ayutthaya are said to have been descendants of Khum Borom's younger sons.

Scholar David K. Wyatt believes that the Khun Borom myth may provide insight into the early history of the Tai people in Southeast Asia. Versions of the Khun Borom myth occur as early as 698 CE in Siang Khwang, and identify Tai-speaking kingdoms that would be formally established years later. This may indicate the early geographical spread of Tai-speaking peoples, and provides a mythological explanation for why modern Tai-speaking peoples are found in such widespread pockets. Linguistic analysis indicates that the division of the early Tai speakers into the language groups that gave rise to modern Thai, Lao and other languages occurred sometime between the 7th and 11th centuries CE. This split proceeded along geographic lines very similar to the division given in the Khun Borom legend.

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