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The
Chut have a population of about 2,400
inhabitants. Of them, a large part inhabits
in Minh Hoa and Tuyen Hoa districts of Quang
Binh province. Their other names are Ruc,
Sach, Arem, May, Ma Lieng, Tu Vang, Pa Leng,
Xe Lang, To Hung, Cha Cu, Tac Cuc, Ymo and
Xa La Vang. Chut language belongs to the
Viet-Muong Group.
Among them, the Sach are involved in
agriculture and the Ruc and the Arem mainly
practice cultivation on burnt-over land. The
Chut also practice hunting gathering,
fishing and animal husbandry. Carpentry and
basketry are developed. They do not know how
to grow cotton and weave cloth, so have to
buy or exchange farm tools, cloth and
garments from other groups.
Though almost
the Chut live a sedentary life, their
villages are separated, their houses are
temporary. Nowadays, the Chut take the
family names of Cao and Dinh. Each lineage
has its leader and an altar worshipping
their common ancestors. Among the leaders of
the lineages, those who wins the highest
prestige will be proclaimed village chief.
The Chut eat steamed rice and food made from
vegetable and snail or fish.
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Matrimony is kept in a
stable status, variance is rare. The Chut
organize funerals in a simple way.
Especially the Sach group is influenced by
the way of the Kinh's funerals. Following
their custom, when a person dies, his or her
body is kept in the house for two or three
days to receive offerings of rice before
being buried. The grave is filled up with
soil like a mound, no funeral house is to be
built on. Three days later, the head of the
lineage conjures up the dead person's soul
to bring it to the ancestor altar. Since
then, the dead family needs no visit to the
grave. The Chut believe in the existence of
the spirits of the forest, the stream and
the space. The genie of the agriculture who
protects crops reigns supreme.
The Chut inherited a rich folk art and
culture. The folksongs called Ka-tum and
Ka-lenh are very fond of by many people. The
ancient tales are diverse with various
themes. The Chut play pan-pipes, six-hole
flutes, male and female harplike musical
instruments and a kind of monocord with a
bamboo sound-box. |