In the 7th century the Chinese had already mentioned about a place in the south (Nampang) where it is said to be the place of the Tolang Pohwang kingdom, the location of the former kingdom's territory may now refer to the area of Tulang Bawang Regency or regions alongside the Tulang Bawang River, this is supported by Prof. Gabriel Ferrand (1918).

[8] The Saibatin Lampungs occupy traditional regions such as Labuhan Maringgai, Pugung, Jabung, Way Jepara, Kalianda, Raja Basa, Teluk Betung, Padang Cermin, Cukuh Balak, Way Lima, Talang Padang, Kota Agung, Semaka, Suoh, Sekincau, Batu Brak, Belalau, Liwa, Pesisir Krui, Ranau, Martapura, Muara Dua, Kayu Agung with four of these cities are in South Sumatra province, Cikoneng in Pantai Banten and including Merpas in South Bengkulu Regency.

The characteristic traits of the Lampung people are expressed in the adi-adi (poems):- Tandani ulun Lampung, wat piil-pusanggiri Mulia heno sehitung, wat liom ghega dighi Juluk-adok gham pegung, nemui-nyimah muaghi Nengah-nyampugh mak ngungkung, sakai-Sambaian gawi.

[14] The Api dialect are spoken by the people of Sekala Brak, Melinting Maringgai, Darah Putih Rajabasa, Balau Telukbetung, Semaka Kota Agung, Pesisir Krui, Ranau, Komering and Daya (those that practices the Saibatin Lampungs customs), and including Way Kanan, Sungkai and Pubian (those that practices Pepadun Lampungs customs).

The Nyo dialect are used by the people of Abung and Tulangbawang (those that practices Pepadun Lampungs customs).

The traditional Lampung script has undergone changes throughout history, becoming less complex than the ancient version.