Bru people
Bru | |
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Related ethnic groups | |
Katuic peoples |
The Bru (also Bruu, Riang or Bru-Vân Kiều; Vietnamese: Người Bru - Vân Kiều; Lao: ບຣູ ; Thai: บรู; which literally means "people living in the woods") are an indigenous ethnic group living in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. They speak a Katuic language, kaubru unlike the Brao, who speak a Western Bahnaric language.[2] The Bru are not found in northeastern Cambodia. The Lun, Kreung, Kavet, Amba and Brao Tanap groups in northeastern Cambodia are actually sub-groups of the Brao, not the Bru. The Brao sub-groups in Laos are the Lun, Kavet, Jree, Ka-ying, and the Hamong.[2]
The Bru are also close ethnically to Pnongam peoples of Southern Vietnam and Eastern Cambodia. Despite kinship with this group, the Bru are different politically and historically from this other ethnic group.[3]
The Bru speak
Some people have confused the Bru for the
Settlements and villages
The Bru settled mostly along waterways. Traditionally they live in small houses that are built on stilts. The houses are arranged around a central meeting building around a circle.
In Thailand, most Bru live in
In Laos, most Bru live in eastern
In Vietnam, most Bru live in the western mountainous part of
History
The early history of the Bru remains somewhat obscure. Researchers believe that the ancestors of the Bru were members of the kingdom of the
A small part of the Bru migrated from
During the Vietnam War, the Bru suffered greatly as a result of the conflict that surrounded them.
During and following the Vietnam War the Bru people in Thailand were heavily involved in revolutionary activities against the local Thai governments. The Thai central government combated these activities by increasing Thai military presence as well as increasing spending for economic development.[citation needed]
In Vietnam, during the war, the Bru people (called Vân Kiều in Vietnamese language) provided significant support for the movement of Viet Minh and later the People's Republic of Vietnam. They later adopted the surname "Ho" to express their gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh.[7]
Religion
The Bru mainly believe in
Also the Bru have a rich heritage of myths and legends passed down orally including several stories about animals. The most intelligent is the hare, and the hero is the tiger.[8]
Economy and occupation
The main occupation of the people Bru is manual
The territories populated by the Bru include excellent conditions for prosperity, but the regions where they live lack adequate infrastructure for much needed development. Recent projects including cultivation of
Governance
Every Bru village is relatively independent of others villages. A leader Headman (who in more traditional areas is often the village spiritual advisor) leads the community.
In Thailand the village headman is democratically elected by members (usually the men) of the village
In Laos, the village headman was integrated into the state administration.
Culture
The Bru are a patriarchal society where men held to a higher status than the women of the family and where older members enjoy a higher status than their younger counterparts.
Men often practice polygamy, which although not sanctioned by the culture is accepted. Usually a polygamous man will have several wives spread out over several villages in which he travels.
The Bru are socially outgoing and love music and dancing. They are very musical and are skilled with many different instruments including castanets, drums, gongs, zithers and simple and traditional instruments that used to accompany singing tales (cha chap) and change songs (sim)
Although they are a Katuic people, they've adopted some elements of Tai culture. Their clothing reflects this, combining Tai and Katuic elements.
References
- ^ "Report on Results of the 2019 Census". General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ a b c Baird, Ian G. 2008. “Various forms of colonialism: The social and spatial reorganisation of the Brao in southern Laos and northeastern Cambodia”. PhD Dissertation, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
- ^ (Korolev: 1957, 378)
- ^ a b "The unique difference in garment of Bru - Vân Kiều people". baodantoc.vn. Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Outline of Vân Kiều ethnic people in Quảng Bình". bdt.quangbinh.gov.vn. Quảng Bình Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ "The Bru people life in Krông Pắc, Đắk Lắk". daklakmuseum.vn. Daklak Museum. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "HHquangtri - Người Vân kiều, Pa kô xứng danh mang họ Bác Hồ". Archived from the original on 9 July 2012.
- ^ (Zhuravleva: 1961, № 6. To 54)