Khang ethnic group

Proper name: Mo Khang.

Other names: Hang, Bren, Xa.

Local Groups: Khang Dang, Khang Hoac, Khang Don, Khang Sua, Ma Hang, Bu Hang, Ma Hang Beng, Bu Hang Coi, etc.

Population: 3,921 people.

Language: The Khang speak a language belonging to the Mon-Khmer language group (Austroasiatic language family). They also speak Thai fluently.

History: The Khang are one of the oldest inhabitants in the Northwest of the country.

Production activities: The Khang are agriculturists cultivating their crops on swidden fields, using digging sticks to make holes in the ground for planting seeds. They can he characterized according the three different categories: nomadic Khang who work on terraced, swidden fields; semi- nomadic Khang who work on both terraces and fields; and permanent cultivators who work on both terraces and fields. They plant sticky rice, corn, cassava, sesame, etc. Animal husbandry is fairly well-developed* especially raising pigs, chickens, ducks, water buffaloes, and cows. The Khang are well-known for their plaited furniture, including trunks, rattan chairs, trays, carrying baskets, etc. They also are very good at making and rowing wooden boats. Their boats are widely purchased by other ethnic groups.

Diet: The Khang like to eat sticky rice, or sour and spicy dishes like sour preserved fish, vegetable, or a combination dish made from a spice, meat, chili, garlic, and mint, all mixed together and then steamed. The tradition of inhaling liquid through the nose (tKu mui) is a distinctive Khang cultural trait. They like to drink white wine, rice wine, and to smoke tobacco, also by pipe.

Clothing: The Khang dress like the Thai.

Housing: There are two types of houses, temporary and permanent ones. Stilt houses are generally made as a single central room with a double roof. Wings or bays and annexes are not common to Khang architecture. A single doorway opens to the main staircase in front.

Transportation: The Khang use baskets to carry things, and boats to transport people.

Social organization: Khang social relations have largely been influenced by the Thai groups, as the Khang do not have their own distinct social organization. The highest position in a village is called quan cai, almost like a management position in a Thai village. Within the Khang's village, there has been segregation between the rich and the poor. The majority of Khang villages are composed of small patriarchal families. However, there remain some remnants of a matriarchal system, such as the custom of living with the wife's family, the important role of the uncle on the mother's side, etc. The head of a family line still plays an important role.