Name of
Ethnic Group: O Du (Tay-Hat).
Population:
194 people.
Locality:
The O Du live in the villages of Kim Hoa and Xop Pot in Kim Da Commune, and the rest live
in nearby villages in Tuong Duong District, Nghe An Province.
Customs
and Habits:The O Du live in small families. After marriage, the bridegroom
lives at his wife's house for some time before returning to his house with his children
and his wife. For the O Du, the new year begins on the day when the thunder rolls for the
first time in early spring. They believe that people have souls which, after death,
becomes the soul of the house, watching over every activity of the living.
Culture: O Du language belongs to the
Mon-Khmer Group and is
now no longer used. They do use the Thai and Kho Mu languages, however. As a result, their
cultural identity is obscured by the influences of the Thai and the Kho Mu.
Economy: The O Du live off of farming on
slash-and-burnt plots, rearing animals, gathering, and hunting. Weaving is also a sideline
family occupation.
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