Si La ethnic group-Vietnam

Name of ethnic group: Si La (Cu De Xu, Kha Pe).
Population: 840 people (Year 1999).
Locality: Lai Chau Province.

Customs and habits
The Si La live in houses built level to the ground. The kitchen is usually placed at the centre of the house. Relationships between the members of a lineage are very close. The head of a lineage is usually the oldest man who plays an important role in the village. He also acts as a leader in charge of internal affairs, and especially during worship. The “mo” (sorcerers) is well respected. The Si La wedding ceremony is celebrated in two stages with one year passing in between the stages. The family of the groom must hand wedding presents to the bride’s family prior to meeting the bride and bringing her home.

The burial ground of the dead occupies a plot at the end of the village. Graves of members of the same lineages are grouped together. The Si La often build the funeral house for the dead first, then dig the grave for the house. The coffin is made from a hollowed tree trunk. When a person dies, the Si La organize different kinds of ceremonies. They never clean the graves or exhume the dead’s remains, but they maintain the custom of mourning their parents for three years. The Si La also worship their ancestors and the spirits of the village.

Culture
The Si La language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman Group.

Costumes
The attire of women is quite unique. The upper parts of their dresses are different colors and decorated with silver and tin coins. Their headgear varies according to age. When travelling, they always carry a woven handbag with red fringes attached to the hems of the handbag. In the past, men have painted their teeth red and women have painted theirs black. This custom is no longer observed by the young people.

Economy
The main forms of income are rice and corn cultivation. Hunting and gathering are also a significant part of the life of the Si La.

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]