Bru People - Wikipedia

Ethnic group Not to be confused with Brau people. For the Bru tribe of India, see Reang. Ethnic group Bru-Vân Kiều

Bru
Diorama showing wax figures of Bru people in traditional attire, Khe Sanh museum
Total population
129,559 (1999 estimate)
Regions with significant populations
Vietnam	94,598 (2019)[1]
Laos	69,000
Thailand	25,000
Languages
Eastern Bru, Western Bru, Vietnamese, Lao, Thai
Religion
Traditional religion (ancestor worship), Animism, Theravada Buddhism
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 Bru, a Katuic Mon–Khmer kaubru language, which has several dialects. Their total population is estimated at 129,559 by Ethnologue.

Some people have confused the Bru for the Brao in northeastern Cambodia and Attapeu and Champasak Provinces of southern Laos. In fact, they are different groups, and Bru people are not found in Cambodia.[2]

Settlements and villages

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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 Sakon Nakhon Province, and Mukdahan Province in the Isan region of Northeast Thailand.

In Laos, most Bru live in eastern Savannakhet Province, in Sepone District, but also in other parts of the province, and also in Khammouane Province.

In Vietnam, most Bru live in the western mountainous part of Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên–Huế provinces. The Bru sub-groups in Vietnam are Vân Kiều, Trì, Khùa, Ma Coong.[4][5]

History

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The early history of the Bru remains somewhat obscure. Researchers believe that the ancestors of the Bru were members of the kingdom of the Khmers of Angkor which dominated large parts of Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, circa the 9th century and 13th century. This is also based upon the relationship between the Mon-Khmer languages and the Bru. About 400 years ago, the Bru were pushed out of the best valley lands in northern Laos and forced southward by the Thai-speaking peoples.[citation needed]

A small part of the Bru migrated from Annamite Range (Vietnamese: dãy Trường Sơn) to Đắk Lắk since late April 1972. In 2019, the Bru population in Đắk Lắk is 2,659 people, more crowded than their population in Thừa Thiên–Huế (1,389 people).[4][6]

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

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The Bru mainly believe in Animism, but some (especially in Thailand), are adherents of Theravada Buddhism, which is observed along with Animism, which includes worship of ancestors, the spirits of the rice and fire spirits. Sacred objects to the Bru include relics and fragments of ancient weapons and household objects

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

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The main occupation of the people Bru is manual swidden agriculture The main crop grown by the Bru and a main staple of their diet is rice. Other crops grown by the Bru are beans, and corn The Bru are also involved in animal husbandry, fishing and hunting. The Bru are also involved in various crafts works which include basket-making and in the making of straw mats.

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 rubber, coffee, tobacco and cotton have struggled due to these conditions. In Thailand developments of the northeast region by the Thai Government has led to somewhat better economic development among the Bru people.

Governance

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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

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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

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This article needs more complete citations for verification. Please help add missing citation information so that sources are clearly identifiable. (January 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

1. ^ "Report on Results of the 2019 Census". General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
2. ^ 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.
3. ^ (Korolev: 1957, 378)
4. ^ a b "The unique difference in garment of Bru - Vân Kiều people". baodantoc.vn. Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
5. ^ "Outline of Vân Kiều ethnic people in Quảng Bình". bdt.quangbinh.gov.vn. Quảng Bình Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
6. ^ "The Bru people life in Krông Pắc, Đắk Lắk". daklakmuseum.vn. Daklak Museum. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
7. ^ "HHquangtri - Người Vân kiều, Pa kô xứng danh mang họ Bác Hồ". Archived from the original on 9 July 2012.
8. ^ (Zhuravleva: 1961, № 6. To 54)

External links

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• Ethnologue entry
• Picture
• Cambodia Hill Tribes
• RWAAI Repository and Workspace for Austroasiatic Intangible Heritage
• hdl:10050/00-0000-0000-0003-AD64-5@view Bru in RWAAI Digital Archive

v t e Ethnic and linguistic groups in Thailand by language family
Kra–Dai	Southwestern Tai Isan Khün Lao Lao Ga Lao Krang Lao Lom Lao Loum Lao Ngaew Lao Song Lao Ti Lao Wiang Tai Lu Tai Yuan Nyong Phu Thai Phuan Tai Bueng Tai Daeng Tai Dam Tai Gapong Kaleun Tai Nüa Tai Wang Thai Noi Khorat Thai Thai Yai Northern Tai Saek Nyaw Yoy
Austronesian	Malayo-Polynesian Cham Malay Moken Moklen Urak Lawoi’
Austroasiatic	Khmuic Khmu Lua Mlabri Phai Pray Tin Bru Palaungic Blang Lamet Lawa Mok Palaung Khmer Khmer Northern Western Monic Mon Nyah Kur Katuic Kuy Pearic Pear Chong Sa'och Aslian Maniq Kintaq Kensiu Vietic Aheu Vietnamese
Sino-Tibetan	Sinitic Chinese Chin Haw Peranakan Teochew Hokkien Hakka Hainanese Cantonese Hokchew Tibeto-Burman Akha Bisu Karen Kayah Lahu Lisu Lolo Mpi Pa'O Phrae Pwo Phunoi Pwo S'gaw Ugong
Hmong–Mien	Hmong Yao Iu Mien
Immigrants and expatriates	Australians Burmese Farang Filipino Indians Iranians Japanese Koreans Luk khrueng Nepalis Pakistanis Swedish

v t e Ethnic groups in Laos by language family
Lao-Tai	Lao Lu Phuan Phu Thai Saek Tai Daeng (Red Tai) Tai Dam (Black Tai) Tai Khao (White Tai) Tai Maen Tai Nüa
Vietic	Atel Bo Chut (May) Kinh/Vietnamese Krih Liha people [vi] (Đan Lai) Maleng Phong Phon Sung (Aheu) Thavung Tum
Khmeric	Khmer
Katuic	Bru Ca Tu Kuy Makong Pacoh Sou Ta Oi
Bahnaric	Alak Brau (Lavae) Kataang Jeng Oy Laven Nyaheun Sedang Talieng Yae (Jeh)
Khmu-Palaungic	Bit Khang Htin (Lua) Khamu Keu Mlabri Lamet O Du Xinh Mun (Puoc) Samtao (Kiorr)
Hmong–Mien	Hmong Lanten Yao
Tibeto-Burman	Akha Hani Kado Kaduo Lahu Phana' Phunoi Si La
Austronesian	Cham Laotian Cham
Other	Chinese Doi Kaleung Lavy (Lawi)
General grouping	Lao Loum (Lowland) Lao Theung (Highland) Lao Sung (Hill)
Laos portal

v t e Ethnic groups of Vietnam
Austroasiatic (Vietic)	Việt (Kinh) Mường Thổ Chứt Nguồn
Austroasiatic (non-Vietic)	Khmer Ba Na Xơ Đăng Cơ Ho Hrê M'Nông Xtiêng Bru-Vân Kiều Khơ Mú Cơ Tu Giẻ Triêng Tà Ôi Mạ Co Chơ Ro Xinh Mun Kháng Mảng Rơ Măm Brâu Ơ Đu
Hmong–Dao	H'Mông Dao Pà Thẻn
Tai–Kadai	Tày Thái Thái Đen Thái Đỏ Thái Trắng Phu Thái Tày Thanh Thái Hàng Tổng Nùng Sán Chay Giáy Lào Lự Bố Y La Chí La Ha Cơ Lao Pu Péo Thủy
Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)	Hoa Sán Dìu Ngái
Sino-Tibetan (Tibeto-Burman)	Hà Nhì Phù Lá La Hủ Lô Lô Cống Si La
Malayo-Polynesian	Chăm Chu Ru Gia Rai H'roi Ê Đê Raglai
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