Name of
Ethnic Group: Bru-Van Kieu (Tri, Khua, and Ma-Coong).
Population: More than 40,000
people.
Locality: The
mountain regions of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue Provinces.
Customs and Habits:
The Bru-Van Kieu live in small houses on stilts. These villages are usually located near
rivers or streams and are always arranged along the water current flows. The houses are
arranged in circles around a communal house on flat and expansive terrain. Young Bru-Van
Kieu men and women are free to choose their partners. The maternal uncle says the last
words at marriage or burial ceremonies for his nephews and nieces. He also has the
decision power in house construction. Ancestor worship is the most common religious
activity. Also, the Bru-Van Kieu pay veneration to sacred objects such as a sword or a
fragment of a bowl, and they especially worship fire and kitchen deities.
Culture: The
Bru-Van Kieu language belongs to the Mon-Khmer culture. The Bru-Van Kieu love creative
arts and maintain a rich treasury of traditional art and culture. They possess numerous
musical instruments such as drums, castanets, knob gongs, wind instruments, and string
zithers (including the a-chung and po-kua). Folk singing is popular as is cha chap (sung
stories), and sim, an alternating chant between young men and women. Folksongs, proverbs,
and old tales make up the rich culture of the Bru-Van Kieu.
Costumes: Both men and women wear Tay Nguyen like costumes.
Economy: The
Bru-Van Kieu live on rice cultivation, through slash and burn agriculture and submerging
their fields. They also hunt, fish and rear cattle. Basketry and palm mat-making are their
sideline occupations. |