A sketch of the organization above the village level of the Chut and Bru-Van Kieu in Quang Binh province

Abstract

“Xu” is a level of organization above the village level of the Chut and Bru-Van Kieu ethnic minority groups in Quang Binh province. However, the role of this level of organization is very vague. The head of a “xu” mainly plays a religious role in the worship of the landholders’ ancestors, as well as settling conflicts over some violations of local customs and habits. The author holds that the origin of “xu” relates to the village ownership of forestland