Online Networks and Cultural Practices of the Brau People

Abstract

Using hybrid ethnography (both online and offline), this article explores the
Brau community’s cultural practices in the border area of Kon Tum province through various
online networking platforms. Specifically, a segment of the Brau people uses online networks to
search for information about their ethnic group’s history and culture and to promote the village
community’s cultural activities. The online network serves as both a space for entertainment
and a platform to exchange information, interact with fellow ethnic groups in the border areas
of Laos and Cambodia, and seek agricultural knowledge from other regions for local
experimentation. However, online networks are also leading some young Brau people to
gradually move away from traditional cultural values, pursue unhealthy trends, and engage in
harmful pastimes. The article demonstrates that, in addition to traditional ethnographic
research methods, online ethnographic methods provide researchers with a multidimensional
perspective and enhance the attractiveness of research findings.