Self-name:
Ma
Alt-name:
Châu Mạ, Chô Mạ, Chê Mạ
Local groups:
Mạ Ngăn, Mạ Xốp, Mạ Tô, Mạ Krung.
Region of residence:
Tây Nguyên
Area of residence:
Mainly in Lam Dong province. Some in Dak Nong, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc
Population (2019):
50322
Percent:
0.052%
Language group
Mon - Khmer
Language family
Nam Á
The Ma people live mainly on a multi-crop economy, besides rice they also grow many other crops. Fishing is quite popular. Cotton growing and weaving is especially developed. The Ma people are very skillful in using colors when weaving brocade. Each color of fabric is dyed from a different type of plant. The patterns are mainly geometric. Women wear tight-fitting shirts, no slits, low round collars. Men wear loincloths, pullovers, the back flap is longer than the front flap, covering the buttocks.