CƠ LAO

Other names: Ke Lao

Population

1,865 people

Locality

Dong Van and Hoang Su Phi districts in Ha Giang Province.

Customs & Habits

Each village has about 15 to 20 households. The Co Lao houses are on the ground, not on stilts like many other ethnic groups. In fact, they adopted a patriarchal system. During pregnancy, Co Lao women observe strict abstinence to facilitate delivery and to give healthy babies. In Dong Van District, people incinerate the placentas of new born babies. Three days and nights after their birth, male babies are baptised by their parents.

Culture

The Co Lao language belongs to the Kadai Group. Ceremonies and festivals are on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, and the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. The Lunar New Year Festival is the biggest festival of the year.

Costumes

Men wear trousers like many other ethnic groups around the northern borders. Women also wear trousers and a five-panel dress running below the knees. The dress buttons under the left armpit and come with bands of different colourful cloth that attaches to the chest from the middle to the right armpit along a fringed slit.

Economy

The Co Lao practice terraced farming and grow maize in mountain rock hollows. Basketry and woodwork are popular handicrafts by this group makes. The Co Lao are also famous for their bamboo mats, lattices, large winnowing baskets, panniers, tables, chairs, and horse saddles.