VietNamNet Bridge – The northwest mountainous areas are not only famous for its beautiful scenery but also for the unique customs of various ethnic groups living there.

Women of Black Thai minority wear colourful outfits at a funeral in Son La

Thai is the third largest group among 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. They mostly live in the northwest mountains and even until now, and have kept many of their traditional practices, such as cremation. To Thai people, death is not the end, but the beginning of another life in 'muong troi'.

Family members lay on the road to the grave     Simple bamboo coffin at a funeral in Yen Bai Province     People also use chinaberry woods for cremation

The body of the deceased is wrapped with brocade and carried to a grave by a group of men. People in the family will often lay down on the road as the symbol of a bridge while the carriers step over them. According to tradition, branches of banyan tree must be used for cremation, however people have also started using wood of the chinaberry tree.

Seven layers of wood planks for a man and nine layers for a woman     Remaining bones put inside the grave     A 'ma kho' ceremony of Mua Thi Vang in Ha Giang         Music

Wine will be poured down after the fire to help separate the remaining bones. The bones will be put in an urn before being placed inside the grave. The 'ma kho' tradition of Thai ethnic minority is held thirteen days after the funeral. All 'ma kho' ceremony must have 'cau va', objects that symbolise the deceased. Thai people put certain items inside the 'cau va', three corn cakes, an egg, a cup of wine and a bamboo tube to call for the soul.

Food and bamboo tube inside 'cau va'       Family members surround the 'cau va' and cry       Neighbours drink wine and kneel down in to share the loss with family

Other ethnic groups also have their own unique customs. The H'Mong people in Ha Giang Province are known for their 'ma kho' tradition, in which the family hold a celebration one year after the death of the deceased to lead the soul out of the house to heaven. If they do not hold this ceremony, the spirit may stay and cause troubles to the family. 'Cau va' of the H'Mong is made of straw, to look like a coffin. They place on it sticky rice, wine and bamboo tube.

VNN/DTriNews