Name of
Ethnic Group: Mang (Mang U and
Xa La Vang).
Population:
More than 2,200 people.
Locality:
Sin Ho, Muong Te, Phong Tho, and Muong Lay Districts of Lai Chau Province.
Customs
and Habits: The chief of the village, together with the council of the oldest men,
takes responsibility for the affairs of his village. The houses are built on stilts. Young
Mang men and women are free to choose their own partners. According to customs, the two
families are made to struggle for the bride on the wedding day as the bride is brought
from the house of her family to worship the heavens.
Culture: The Mang language belongs to the Mon-Khmer
Group. Chin tattooing is considered a rite for young men to mature into adulthood.
Costumes:
Males wear garments consisting of a short vest open at the front and trousers. Women wear
a long skirt, a short vest open at the front, and a piece of white cloth decorated with
various motifs.
Economy:
The Mang practice slash-and-burn cultivation techniques with rudimentary home-made tools.
The Mang cultivate rice in terraced fields similar to the Tha and practice basketry.
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