Bru people
The Bru (also Bruu, Brao, Brou, or Bru - Vân Kieu, Vietnamese Nguoi Bru - Vân Kieu; Lave or Love ) are an ethnic group that has its settlement areas in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. The total population is estimated at around 130,000 people.
Often the Bru are described along with the Lun, Kravet and Kreung because these four ethnic groups speak common languages understandable and very similar cultures have developed.
Settlement areas
The Bru settle in Vietnam in the provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Dak Lak and Thua Thien - Hue. In Laos, most members of the Bru live in the provinces of Savannakhet, Sepone and in the Isaan region. In Thailand, they are found in the vicinity of the Lao Bru, in the province of Sakon Nakhon.
The Bru settle mostly in watercourses in small houses that are built on stilts. The houses are arranged around a central meeting circular building around.
History
The history of the early Bru remains somewhat obscure. Researchers believe that their ancestors were members of the ancient Khmer Empire of Angkor, which dominated large parts of Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, between the 9th and 13th centuries. This is based on the linguistic relationship of the Mon-Khmer languages , and on the fact that the brother of the more than 1,000 -meter-high level of Boloven in Southeastern Laos ( Champasak ) settle that once represented the center of the Khmer civilization of Angkor.
The populated by the Bru landscape is really good conditions for prosperity is, but lacks a suitable infrastructure for the transport of goods. Therefore Recently completed projects with the cultivation of coffee, tobacco and cotton had their effect. Therefore, the Bru are considered as marginal, both in Cambodia and in Laos and in particular promoted the population in the lowlands.
1968 protesting the brother for the first time in Cambodia against government encroachment on their territory. Tanks and soldiers destroyed then their fields and villages. During the Vietnam War, the brother had to suffer again. After the defeat of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in 1979, groups of the toppled government tried their propaganda in the rural areas of the northeast continue. The brother, however, had come to terms with the new People's Republic of Kampuchea and posted four provincial governors to Phnom Penh, nämlihch of Mondulkiri, Tatanakiri, Stung Treng and Preah Vihear.
Economy
The Bru feed on crops and build mainly on rice, while primarily in slash and burn. This form of agriculture allowed three to four harvests in a year, then the country needs but broke about twelve years lie. This form of agriculture in Laos has survived better than in Cambodia, but many Bru were also displaced from there to Northeast Thailand. There are also livestock, fishing and hunting.
Among the perquisites contribute the basket-making and the making of straw mats.
Language
The language of the Bru belongs to the Mon-Khmer language family and has many dialects.
Religion
The Bru depend on the nature of religion and worship their ancestors. At consecrated items include weapons and fragments of household items. They pray mainly to fire spirits and gods that secure the daily survival. In addition, the Buddhist faith exists.
Culture
Each village of Bru was relatively independent of others. A leader ( Elderman ) led the community. In Laos, they were integrated into the state administration, in Cambodia they achieved in the past highest political office. Family ties working in both directions, to the mother and to the father. Therefore, the origin is more valued by place of residence (food point) than after the family. Men drive polygamy, with older members of the Bru enjoy higher reputation than younger ones.
The Bru are socially outgoing and love music and dance. Make different musical instruments forth as castanets, drums, gongs, zithers and simple instruments, intended to accompany the sung tales ( cha chap) and change songs ( sim) are used.