LA HỦ

Other names: Xa La Vang, Co Rung, Khu Sung, and Kha Quy

Population

6,874 people

Locality

Muong Te District of Lai Chau Province.

Customs & Habits

The La Hu live in villages built on mountain slopes. These houses are level with the ground and divided by bamboo partitions. They always place the altar for the ancestors and the kitchen at the bay of the house, which is, in fact, the family sleeping quarters. The right of inheritance is only 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, they give the baby a name. If a guest comes during this time, he or she has the honour of naming the newborn. The worship of the ancestors is 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 completing harvesting.

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 in the Ha Nhi language, but the La Hu have kept their own rhythms. The La Hu people have a rich heritage of ancient tales, and they even maintain their own calendar. The days are after 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 good at blacksmithing and making rattan chairs, trays, mats.