Muong ethnic group
Customs and habits
In former days, the "lang
dao" system characterized Muong society. The "lang dao" ruled
the Muong regions. A head of a "muong" was a "lang cun",
"lang xom", or "dao xom".
Muong marriage customs are similar
to the Kinh. When a woman is giving birth to a child, her family surrounds the
main ladder to the house with a bamboo fence. The child will be given a name
when it is one year old. The Muong hold funerals with strict rules. Muong
practice a polytheistic religion and ancestor worship.
Culture
The Muong language belongs to the
Viet-Muong group. The popular literature and arts of the Muong are rich and
include long poems, "mo" (ceremonial songs), folksongs, dialogue
duets, proverbs, lullabies, and children's songs. The gong is a favorite
musical instrument of the Muong, as are the two stringed violins, flutes, drums
and pan pipes.
Costumes
Men dress in indigo pajamas. Women
wear white rectangular scarves, bras, long skirts, and short vests that are
open at the front (or at the shoulders) without buttons. The skirt is
complemented by a very large silk belt embroidered with various motifs such as
flowers, figures, dragons, phoenixes, deer, and birds.
Economy
The Muong have practiced farming
for a long time. Wet rice is their main food staple. Other family income is
generated through the exploitation of forest products including mushrooms,
dried fungus, ammonium, and sticklac. Muong handicrafts include weaving,
basketry, and silk spinning. Muong women are known to be very skilled at loom
weaving.
