Lables:
Ethnic Groups, Khang Ethnic Group, Mon-Khmer Group
Proper name:
Mo Khang.
Other names:
Hang, Bren, Xa.
Local Groups:
Khang Dang, Khang Hoac, Khang Don, Khang Sua, Ma Hang, Bu Hang, Ma Hang Beng,
Bu Hang Coi, etc.
Population:
3,921 people.(1999 census).
Language:
The Khang speak a language belonging to the Mon-Khmer language group
(Austroasiatic language family). They also speak Thai fluently.
History:
The Khang are one of the oldest inhabitants in the Northwest of the country.
Production activities:
The Khang are agriculturists cultivating their crops on swidden fields, using
digging sticks to make holes in the ground for planting seeds. They can he
characterized according the three different categories: nomadic Khang who work
on terraced, swidden fields; semi- nomadic Khang who work on both terraces and
fields; and permanent cultivators who work on both terraces and fields. They
plant sticky rice, corn, cassava, sesame, etc. Animal husbandry is fairly
well-developed* especially raising pigs, chickens, ducks, water buffaloes, and
cows. The Khang are well-known for their plaited furniture, including trunks,
rattan chairs, trays, carrying baskets, etc. They also are very good at making
and rowing wooden boats. Their boats are widely purchased by other ethnic
groups.
Diet:
The Khang like to eat sticky rice, or sour and spicy dishes like sour preserved
fish, vegetable, or a combination dish made from a spice, meat, chili, garlic,
and mint, all mixed together and then steamed. The tradition of inhaling liquid
through the nose (tKu mui) is a distinctive Khang cultural trait. They like to
drink white wine, rice wine, and to smoke tobacco, also by pipe.
Clothing:
The Khang dress like the Thai.
Housing:
There are two types of houses, temporary and permanent ones. Stilt houses are
generally made as a single central room with a double roof. Wings or bays and
annexes are not common to Khang architecture. A single doorway opens to the
main staircase in front.
Transportation:
The Khang use baskets to carry things, and boats to transport people.
Social organization:
Khang social relations have largely been influenced by the Thai groups, as the
Khang do not have their own distinct social organization. The highest position
in a village is called quan cai, almost like a management position in a Thai
village. Within the Khang's village, there has been segregation between the
rich and the poor. The majority of Khang villages are composed of small
patriarchal families. However, there remain some remnants of a matriarchal
system, such as the custom of living with the wife's family, the important role
of the uncle on the mother's side, etc. The head of a family line still plays
an important role.
Marriage: In
the past, Khang young people were free to marry their loved one, but the
marriage affair had to go through many ceremonial steps. After four or five
days of sleeping over at the girl's house, if the couple is content with each
other, they got engaged. Then, the couple had to go through some complex
ceremonies. After three years staying at the wife's family, the young couple
had to present themselves to relatives of both sides. Only then, could the
groom's family have a ceremony to bring the bride home. This was the most
important ceremony.
Funerals:
The Khang have the custom of dividing family possession for the dead: things
like bed covers, mattresses, knives, bowls, dishes, trunks, water jars, and
baskets, etc., and which belonged to the dead. All of these are placed at the
head of the grave, where a high pole is also buried. Hung on the pole is a
wooden bird and a shirt that the dead used to wear. After returning home from
the funeral, the family and relatives have to stand on the ground floor of the
house, and the uncle (the mother's brother) will cut a lock of hair from
everyone. These are put into a bowl of fresh water, which also holds a smoked
egg or fish. This bowl is left on the path leading to the grave for the purpose
of scaring the dead away so that its spirit won't come back to disturb family
and loved ones.
Beliefs:
The Khang believe that each person has five spirits. A main one on the head and
the others are on the four limbs. When a person dies, the main spirit becomes
good spirit, and will watch over its descendants. The rest become wicked ghosts
and will always harass the living. The Khang also believe in many other
spirits, like creek spirit, village spirit, etc. The Khang worship the spirits
of both parents. A religious ceremony for them is arranged once in every three
years. This is the most fun ceremony; the family invites relatives and other
villagers over. They eat, then dance for the whole night.
Festivals:
The Khang celebrate the Lunar New Year and the New Rice Festival. They also
have ceremonies that connect with agriculture, and the like.
Artistic activities:
The Khang's ballads reflect daily activities. Many people know Thai songs and
poems, or folk songs.
This
article written by Lanh Nguyen from Vacation to Vietnam
For
original article, please visit:
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