The Landowner and Social Institutions of the Ma Coong in Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province

Abstract

This article refers to the land owner and his role in the Ma Coong community in Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province. Accordingly, the author points out that in the Ma Coong traditional society, there had been many relationships between the landowner and his kinship, the other families, the other community members, the village, the neighboring peoples, and the same trans-national ethnic group... At the same time, there has been decentralization to manage and resolve many things through traditional regulations and customary laws. In particular, the landowner has an important role in setting up and connecting individuals and key relationships in the community to maintain a balance and solidarity in the villages. The influence of the landlord and traditional relationship basically do not interfere or conflict with the current social management; in contrast, they also contribute actively to address many community issues, including issues of social order and border security.