Dao ethnic group
Customs and habits
The Dao worship their ancestors
called Ban Ho. Two forms of matrilocals exist, a temporary matrilocal and
permanent matrilocal. Their funerals reflect many ancient customs. In some
regions, dead people from 12 years old and older are cremated. The houses are
built either on stilts, level with the ground, or half on stilts and half on
beaten earth.
Culture
Dao language belongs to the
Mong-Dao Group. The Dao have long used Chinese writings (but pronounced in the
Dao way) called Nom Dao (Dao Demotic Script).
Costumes
The attire of the Dao men consists
of trousers and short vests. Women's attire is more diversified and is often
decorated with many traditional motifs.
Economy
The Dao mainly live off of rice
cultivation and by growing subsidiary crops. Sideline occupations include
weaving, carpentering, blacksmithing, papermaking and vegetable oil
production.