La Hu ethnic group-Vietnam

Name of ethnic group: La Hu (Xa La Vang, Co Rung, Khu Sung, and Kha Quy).
Population: 6,874 people (Year 1999).
Locality: Muong Te District of Lai Chau Province.

Customs and habits
The La Hu live in villages built on mountain slopes. These houses are level with the ground and divided by bamboo partitions. The altar for the ancestors and the kitchen are always placed at the bay of the house, which is used for the family sleeping quarters. The right of inheritance is only reserved for sons. Young men and women are free to choose their partners. After the wedding, the groom has to live with his wife’s family for several years, but then takes his wife to his family house.

La Hu women usually give birth in their bedroom. Three days later, the baby is given its name. If an unexpected guest comes during this time, he or she is given the honour of naming the newborn. The worship of the ancestors is reserved for the dead parents. Every year the La Hu hold ceremonies to worship the spirits of the earth and to pray for peace. They conjure up the souls of the corn and the rice spirits after the sowing and harvesting duties have been completed.

Culture
La Hu language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman Group. There are a dozen "khen" (pan-pipe) dances in La Hu culture. The songs are sung in the Ha Nhi language, but the La Hu have kept their own rhythms. The La Hu have a rich heritage of ancient tales, and they even maintain their own calendar in which the days are defined corresponding to twelve animals, including the tiger, rabbit, dragon, mouse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig, squirrel, snake and buffalo.

Costumes
Women wear trousers and a long-lap shirt that falls to their ankles. They also wear a short vest during festive days. The collar, chest stripes, and sleeves are either embroidered or sewn with colourful pieces of cloth, silver, tin coins, or red fringes.

Economy
The La Hu live on slash-and-burn cultivation and hunting. La Hu men are very skilled at blacksmithing and making rattan chairs, trays, mats.

Other Vietnam Ethnic Groups:

[Xtieng ethnic group][Xo dang ethnic group][Xinh - mun ethnic group][Tho ethnic group][ Thai ethnic group][Ta Oi ethnic group][Tay ethnic group][Si La ethnic group][San Diu ethnic group][San Chay ethnic group][Ro mam ethnic group][Ra Glai ethnic group][Pu Peo ethnic group][Phu La ethnic group][Pa Then ethnic group][O du ethnic group][Nung ethnic group][Ngai ethnic group][Muong ethnic group][M’Nong ethnic group][Mong (H’Mong) ethnic group][Ma ethnic group][Lu ethnic group][Lo Lo ethnic group][Lao ethnic group][La Hu ethnic group][ La Ha ethnic group][La chi ethnic group][Viet (Kinh) ethnic group][Kho Mu ethnic group][Khmer ethnic group][Khang ethnic group][Hre ethnic group][Hoa ethnic group][Ha Nhi ethnic group][Gie Trieng ethnic group][Gia Rai ethnic group][Giay ethnic group][E De ethnic group][Dao ethnic group][Co Tu ethnic group][Co Lao ethnic group][Co Ho ethnic group][Cong ethnic group][Co ethnic group][Chut ethnic group][Chu Ru ethnic group][Cho Ro ethnic group][Cham ethnic group][Bru - Van Kieu ethnic group][Brau ethnic group][Bo Y ethnic group][Ba Na ethnic group]