Cho Ro ethnic characteristics

The Cho Ro ethnic group has a population of nearly 30,000 people, living in low mountainous areas in the southwest and southeast of Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces. Currently, the Cho Ro people's lives are increasingly improving, preserving and promoting traditional cultural values. Let's find out information about the Cho Ro ethnic group in Vietnam with iGuide.ai!

1. Historical origin and population

• The Cho Ro people are long-time residents of the low mountainous areas in the southeast of Dong Nai province and part of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. This ethnic group is also known by other names such as Chau Ro, Do Ro, Chro, Thuong.
• According to the census results of April 1, 2019, the Cho Ro ethnic group has 29,520 people, of which 14,822 are men and 14,698 are women. The average household size is 4 people/household, and 91.2% of the Cho Ro people live in rural areas.

2. Geographic distribution

• The Cho Ro people mainly live in the low mountainous areas of the southwest and southeast of Dong Nai province, especially concentrated in communes such as Xuan Binh, Xuan Truong, Xuan Tho, Xuan Phu in Xuan Loc district.
• Some Cho Ro families also reside scattered in Song Be and Ba Ria provinces and along National Highway 15.

3. Language and education

• The Cho Ro language belongs to the Mon-Khmer language group (Austroasiatic language family) and is similar to the languages of the Xtieng, Ma, and Co-ho ethnic groups, but has many Khmer words. Previously, the Cho Ro people did not have their own writing system; however, some missionaries transcribed the Cho Ro language into the Latin alphabet.
• Regarding education, the rate of Cho Ro people aged 15 and over who can read and write is 81.7%. The rate of studying at primary, secondary and high school levels is 101.7%, 72.7%, and 36.8% respectively.

4. Main characteristics of clothing, housing and social relations

• Traditional costume of the Cho Ro: men wear loincloths, women wear skirts. Nowadays, they dress in a modern style.
• In the past, they lived in high stilt houses, now popular are earthen houses in Southern architecture.
• In Cho Ro society, the matriarchal family system has disintegrated but the patriarchal family system has not yet been clearly defined, leading to women still holding a more respected position in the family.

5. Cultural customs: Weddings, funerals, and holidays

• The Cho Ro people hold wedding ceremonies at the bride's house, then the husband's family lives there for a while before building their own house.
• The funeral follows the custom of burial and uses votive paper. The housewarming ceremony is an opportunity to exchange with relatives and villagers.
• Rice God Worship Day is an important annual festival event.

6. Arts and literature

• The Cho Ro people preserve a few antiphonal singing tunes for festivals.
• Notable traditional musical instruments include a set of seven bronze gongs, along with bamboo pipes and vertical flutes.

7. Economic conditions and development

• The Cho Ro have developed from upland rice cultivation to wet rice cultivation, combined with industrial and fruit tree cultivation. The poverty rate is 4.2% with an unemployment rate of 1.55%. Currently, they have moved to settlement and developed production with the use of modern machinery and techniques.
• The Cho Ro ethnic group, with its rich and diverse culture, is opening up opportunities for understanding and appreciation from the wider community. Through these unique features, the Cho Ro people have become a valuable part of the Vietnamese ethnic and cultural picture.

Above is some interesting information about the Cho Ro ethnic group, Vietnam. Let's plan to explore, meet and experience the culture of the Cho Ro people with iGuide.ai in the near future!

Source:
- Ethnic groups in Vietnam (National Political Publishing House Truth)
- Basic characteristics of 54 ethnic minorities in 2019 (Committee on Ethnic Minorities and General Statistics Office)
- Website of the Ethnic Committee, Website of Nhan Dan Newspaper
- Survey results collect information on the socio-economic status of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam)