Lables: Ethnic Groups, Khang Ethnic Group, Mon-Khmer Group
Proper name: Mo Khang.
Other names: Hang, Bren, Xa.
Local Groups: Khang Dang, Khang Hoac, Khang Don, Khang Sua, Ma Hang, Bu Hang, Ma Hang Beng, Bu Hang Coi, etc.
Population: 3,921 people.(1999 census).
Language: The Khang speak a language belonging to the Mon-Khmer language group (Austroasiatic language family). They also speak Thai fluently.
History: The Khang are one of the oldest inhabitants in the Northwest of the country.
Production activities: The Khang are agriculturists cultivating their crops on swidden fields, using digging sticks to make holes in the ground for planting seeds. They can he characterized according the three different categories: nomadic Khang who work on terraced, swidden fields; semi- nomadic Khang who work on both terraces and fields; and permanent cultivators who work on both terraces and fields. They plant sticky rice, corn, cassava, sesame, etc. Animal husbandry is fairly well-developed* especially raising pigs, chickens, ducks, water buffaloes, and cows. The Khang are well-known for their plaited furniture, including trunks, rattan chairs, trays, carrying baskets, etc. They also are very good at making and rowing wooden boats. Their boats are widely purchased by other ethnic groups.
Diet: The Khang like to eat sticky rice, or sour and spicy dishes like sour preserved fish, vegetable, or a combination dish made from a spice, meat, chili, garlic, and mint, all mixed together and then steamed. The tradition of inhaling liquid through the nose (tKu mui) is a distinctive Khang cultural trait. They like to drink white wine, rice wine, and to smoke tobacco, also by pipe.
Clothing: The Khang dress like the Thai.
Housing: There are two types of houses, temporary and permanent ones. Stilt houses are generally made as a single central room with a double roof. Wings or bays and annexes are not common to Khang architecture. A single doorway opens to the main staircase in front.
Transportation: The Khang use baskets to carry things, and boats to transport people.
Social organization: Khang social relations have largely been influenced by the Thai groups, as the Khang do not have their own distinct social organization. The highest position in a village is called quan cai, almost like a management position in a Thai village. Within the Khang's village, there has been segregation between the rich and the poor. The majority of Khang villages are composed of small patriarchal families. However, there remain some remnants of a matriarchal system, such as the custom of living with the wife's family, the important role of the uncle on the mother's side, etc. The head of a family line still plays an important role.
Marriage: In the past, Khang young people were free to marry their loved one, but the marriage affair had to go through many ceremonial steps. After four or five days of sleeping over at the girl's house, if the couple is content with each other, they got engaged. Then, the couple had to go through some complex ceremonies. After three years staying at the wife's family, the young couple had to present themselves to relatives of both sides. Only then, could the groom's family have a ceremony to bring the bride home. This was the most important ceremony.
Funerals: The Khang have the custom of dividing family possession for the dead: things like bed covers, mattresses, knives, bowls, dishes, trunks, water jars, and baskets, etc., and which belonged to the dead. All of these are placed at the head of the grave, where a high pole is also buried. Hung on the pole is a wooden bird and a shirt that the dead used to wear. After returning home from the funeral, the family and relatives have to stand on the ground floor of the house, and the uncle (the mother's brother) will cut a lock of hair from everyone. These are put into a bowl of fresh water, which also holds a smoked egg or fish. This bowl is left on the path leading to the grave for the purpose of scaring the dead away so that its spirit won't come back to disturb family and loved ones.
Beliefs: The Khang believe that each person has five spirits. A main one on the head and the others are on the four limbs. When a person dies, the main spirit becomes good spirit, and will watch over its descendants. The rest become wicked ghosts and will always harass the living. The Khang also believe in many other spirits, like creek spirit, village spirit, etc. The Khang worship the spirits of both parents. A religious ceremony for them is arranged once in every three years. This is the most fun ceremony; the family invites relatives and other villagers over. They eat, then dance for the whole night.
Festivals: The Khang celebrate the Lunar New Year and the New Rice Festival. They also have ceremonies that connect with agriculture, and the like.
Artistic activities: The Khang's ballads reflect daily activities. Many people know Thai songs and poems, or folk songs.
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