Name of Ethnic Group: M'Nong (Bu-Dang,
Preh, Ger, Nong, Prang, PJam, Kuyenh, Chil Bu Nor, and M'Nong Bu-Dang).
Population: 67,300 people.
Locality: Concentrated
in the southern parts of Dac Lac Province, and parts of Lam Dong and
Song Be Provinces.
Customs and Habits: The M'Nong
live in houses built on stilts or level with the ground. Each village
usually has dozens of households. The village chief plays a major role
in village life. They like to drink alcohol from jars with pipes and
smoke tobacco threads rolled in leaves.Matriarchy is observed and the
children take the family name of their mother. The wife holds the key
position in the household. The M'Nong like to have many children, especially
daughters. One year after the birth of a child, the baby is given a
name. At funerals, people sing, and beat gongs and drums at the side
of the coffin. After placing the coffin in the grave, they cover it
with plants, tree boughs, and leaves before filling the grave with earth.
After seven days, the family holds a rite which completes the mourning
process. The M'Nong believe in the existence of many spirits which are
related to their life. One such spirit is Mother Rice who has a special
role.
Culture: M'Nong language
belongs to the Mon-Khmer Group.
Costumes: Men generally
wear loincloths and leave their upper torsos naked. Women wear skirts
which fall to their ankles. Dark indigo loincloths, skirts, and vests
are decorated with red-coloured designs.
Economy: The M'Nong
use the slash-and-burn method of farming. The M'Nong in Ban Don are
well known for their elephant hunting and domestication. Women handle
the weaving of cotton cloth, while the men work on basketry.