Name of Ethnic Group: Mang (Mang
U and Xa La Vang).
Population: More than
2,200 people.
Locality: Sin Ho,
Muong Te, Phong Tho, and Muong Lay Districts of Lai Chau Province.
Customs and Habits: The chief
of the village, together with the council of the oldest men, takes responsibility
for the affairs of his village. The houses are built on stilts. Young
Mang men and women are free to choose their own partners. According
to customs, the two families are made to struggle for the bride on the
wedding day as the bride is brought from the house of her family to
worship the heavens.
Culture: The Mang
language belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group. Chin tattooing is considered
a rite for young men to mature into adulthood.
Costumes: Males wear
garments consisting of a short vest open at the front and trousers.
Women wear a long skirt, a short vest open at the front, and a piece
of white cloth decorated with various motifs.
Economy: The Mang
practice slash-and-burn cultivation techniques with rudimentary home-made
tools. The Mang cultivate rice in terraced fields similar to the Tha
and practice basketry.