O Du ethnic group
Customs and habits
The O Du lives 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, become 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 lives off of farming on
slash-and-burnt plots, rearing animals, gathering, and hunting. Weaving is also
a sideline family occupation.