Pathen ethnic group

Proper name: Pa Hung.

Other names: Meo Lai, Meo Hoa, Meo Do, Bat Tien Toe....

Population: 3,680 people.

Language: The Pathen language belongs to the Hmong - Dao language groups.

History: As the legend has it, the Pathen from Than Lo in China came to Vietnam 200 - 300 years ago, crossing the sea with the Dao people.

Production activities: In the past, the Pathen mainly lived by cultivating swidden fields, using the digging stick to make holes for seedlings planted into the cleared, burnt fields. Crops include rice, corn, and various kinds of vegetables, such as beans, khoai so, khoai mon. Agricultural tools include the axe, knife and hoe. With crop production being largely dependent on weather conditions, the Pathen periodically must go into the forest and dig cu nau (a root crop yielding brown dye) and yam to supplement their diet when they have bad crops. The gathering of forest fruits still plays an important role in their economic life. Weaving cloth was developed a long time ago, and the Pathen's woven textiles are much appreciated by surrounding groups. Pathen men used to do basketry and carpentry. The Pathen raise farm animals, such as cows, buffaloes, goats, pigs and poultry, also used for religious activities. Buffaloes are also used as draught animals.

Diet: The Pathen mainly eat rice for their two main meals each day. They enjoy eating boiled or fried dishes.

Clothing: The clothing of Pathen women still keeps its special features. Their traditional clothing includes a long skirt and shirt which are very colorful and include decorative trims that are similar to thosg on clothing worn by the Dao people.

Housing: The Pathen mainly reside in Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang provinces. Depending on the area, the Pathen used to live either in houses on stilts or in semi-stilt houses. Houses could also be built directly on the ground. In many places, houses with pillars are built, which tend to make the' structures look stronger and more beautiful.

Transportation: Back-carrying is the principal means for the Pathen to transport goods.

Social organization: Good relations with neighbors play an essential role in community life. The Pathen live in harmony with each other and often take care of and help each other. They give mutual assistance during the harvest- time and when the farm work requires more labor. They have many family lineages living together in one village, in which there is usually one big family lineage. The Pathen have eight original family lineages and some other lineages originating from the Dao people (Ban, Trieu). Each family lineage is divided into smaller branches with their own legends.