Self-name:
Kmụ, Kưm Mụ
Alt-name:
Xá Cẩu, Khạ Klẩu, Mãng Cẩu, Tày Hạy, Mứn Xen, Pu Thềnh, Tềnh.
Local groups:
Do not have
Region of residence:
Tây Bắc Bộ
Area of residence:
Yen Bai, Son La, Lai Chau provinces
Population (2019):
90612
Percent:
0.094%
Language group
Mon - Khmer
Language family
Austroasiatic
The Khmu are one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Northwest of Vietnam. They mainly live by shifting cultivation, so they are also called by the nickname "Xa an lua". The main form of exchange is barter, with the "kxoong" snail shell as an equivalent (similar to money). The traditional costume of Khmu women includes a black piêu head scarf, a black 'cồm' shirt with rectangular (pam) or butterfly (pem) buttons on the chest, a belt, skirt, leggings, headbands, etc. Nowadays, the Khmu piêu scarf can have colorful embroidered patterns due to cultural exchange with the Thai people. Men wear indigo clothes and often wear berets.