SOME CHANGES IN MARRIAGE AMONGST THE BRAU ETHNIC PEOPLE TODAY

Abstract

Brau ethnic people is one of sixteen least populated minorities in Vietnam. The Brau belongs to the Mon-Khmer language group and lives mainly in Dak Me village, Bo Y commune, Ngoc Hoi district, Kon Tum province. In the process of cultural exchange, socio-economic development, their marital relationship has changed. The article explores the changing situation of the Brau's marriage through the conceptions of marriage, the criteria for choosing a wife (husband), the form of getting to know each other before deciding to get married and the age of marriage. In general, the Brau have gradually eliminated the elements of marriage that are no longer suitable for the life of contemporary society. However, there are still some backward customs such as Brau men/women having early sex – at a young age (13-16 years old) and child marriage still persists.