Xo Dang ethnic group
Customs and habits
The Xo Dang believes in animism and
worship many spirits related to the production of food and life. Each village
has a "Rong" (communal house), and the roof of this communal house
forms two steeply rising surfaces that resembles an axe-head. The village chief
is the most respected person in the community and all village affairs are
managed by the chief.
Xo Dang people do not have family
names as the proper name consists of only one word with a prefix indicating the
sex of the person, "A" for men, and "Y" for women. Male and
female adults are allowed to seek their own loves. The Xo Dang wedding is very
simple. After the wedding, the married couple lives in rotation of their
families for a few years.
Culture
The Xo Dang belongs to the
Mon-Khmer Group. The buffalo stabbing ritual is held annually. The Xo Dang
enjoys singing, dancing, playing gongs, and telling old tales. Xo Dang men are
good at architecture, sculpting, and painting.
Economy
Farming is the main form of income
generation. Cattle and poultry raising, hunting, picking and gathering,
fishing, basketry, weaving, and blacksmithing are other ways the Xo Dang
survive.
