Child-bearing and -feeding Rituals among the Mang in Vietnam

Abstract

The Mang in Vietnam are an ethnic group with a small population, who reside mainly in the two districts of Sin Ho and Muong Te, Lai Chau province. From an ethnographic perspective, this article introduces in detail the child-bearing and -feeding rituals of the Mang ethnic goup, such as the asking-for-pregnancy ritual, pregnancy-protection worship, worship used in cases of difficult delivery, child’s soul keeping worship, séance, forcing the wrist, harmful spirit worship, etc. In addition, the author also clarifies the role of rituals in the Mang’s life and raises the value of the ethnic culture within the rituals. Thus, maintaining the selective ceremonies to suit modern life also preserves ethnic culture.