Legend has it descendants are from the old king of Laos, who migrated after the overthrow and was forced to leave and spread out to neighboring countries for refuge.
The Tai Nyaw practise Theravada Buddhism, but have also maintained their original animist religion.
Important to the Nyaw people is the tutelary spirit of the village, known in the dialect as ผู้เจ้า [pʰuː tɕaw].
Many traditional families still kept the severed skulls as charms and for use in black magic known as "Kong Dee".
After the integration of Lao, Thai and Cambodian mainstream society the head hunts were deemed unacceptable.