TL;DR: The Lu people once practiced teeth blackening, a standard of beauty and a rite of passage for men. While this custom has faded, they still preserve cultural traits like traditional clothing, stilt houses, and polytheistic beliefs.
Who are the Lu people and where do they live?
The Lu are a small ethnic minority in Vietnam, with a population of 6,757 according to the 2019 survey of 53 ethnic minorities. They mainly reside in Lai Châu province, particularly in Tam Đường and Sìn Hồ districts, with a smaller presence in Điện Biên.
Researchers believe the Lu migrated from Yunnan, China, around the first millennium AD. They established a presence in the Xam Mứn area before the 11th century. Their language belongs to the Tay-Thai group of the Kra-Dai family.
Summary table of some traditional cultural features of the Lu people by field.
| Field | Main characteristics | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| Black tooth dyeing custom | Lu men previously dyed their teeth black, tattooed their bodies, pierced their ears, and grew long beards | A sign of adulthood and a standard of beauty, now gradually abandoned |
| Tooth dyeing materials | Forest tree resin or plant charcoal powder mixed with natural additives | Done many times, carried out by experienced people in the village |
| Women's clothing | Self-woven women's outfit, embroidered with exquisite patterns | Includes scarf, shirt, skirt, belt, jewelry; scarf attached with golden bead strings and multicolored cotton tassels |
| Stilt house | Called huong, roof thatched with gianh grass extended to cover the veranda and stairs | Only one entrance door facing northwest, along with one door to the drying yard |
| Beliefs | Polytheism, three-tier universe: Mường Phạ, Mường Piêng, Mường Lúm | Belief in good spirits and evil spirits; ancestor worship once a year in the first lunar month according to their own calendar |
| Folk arts | Lu singing (Khắp Lử) | Girls cover their faces with red cloth scarves, singing to the sound of a pair of flutes played by boys |
| Economy | Agriculture cultivating wet rice | Using buffalo and cow labor, digging ditches around fields, pulling seedlings twice before transplanting |
| Social organization | Each village has a Tao ban elected by the people | Together with the village council including the village elder and clan heads; the convention is called the unwritten Le ban |
What is the Lu people's black teeth staining custom?
What does black teeth staining mean in Lu tradition?
Historically, Lu men practiced teeth blackening, along with tattooing, ear stretching, and wearing long beards. This was not merely cosmetic but signified maturity and readiness for social and marital life. Blackened teeth were a standard of beauty, distinguishing humans from animals and showcasing a man's strength and status.
What materials and methods do the Lu use to stain teeth?
The Lu used natural resins or plant-based charcoal mixed with other ingredients. The process required patience and multiple applications to achieve a durable black color. Experienced community members typically performed the procedure to ensure safety.
Why is the Lu black teeth staining custom fading?
Today, this custom has largely disappeared due to cultural exchange and changing aesthetic ideals. Younger generations no longer maintain the practice, viewing white teeth as the new standard. However, it remains an important cultural memory, illustrating the community's adaptation to modern times.
What other cultural traits are unique to the Lu people?
What is special about traditional Lu clothing?
Lu women are known for their hand-woven, intricately embroidered attire, including headscarves, shirts, skirts, and jewelry. Headscarves are adorned with yellow beads and tassels. During festivals, older women wear long black dresses and white scarves around their necks.
How are traditional Lu stilt houses built?
The Lu live in stilt houses with thatched roofs that extend to cover the veranda and stairs. Unlike the Thai or Lao, their houses typically have a single main door facing northwest.
What is the Lu people's polytheistic belief system?
The Lu believe in a three-tiered universe: the sky world, the earth, and the underworld. They distinguish between benevolent spirits (ancestors, village guardians) and malevolent ones (spirits of those who died unnaturally). Ancestor worship is most important, performed annually in their first lunar month.
What types of folk arts do the Lu people have?
Lu singing (Khap Lua) involves women covering their faces with red scarves while singing to the accompaniment of a double flute played by men. These sessions, held at night, serve as a space for young people to interact and express affection.
What is Lu economic and social life like today?
The Lu are skilled wet-rice farmers, using buffalo for plowing and constructing canals around fields. Their unique technique involves transplanting seedlings twice. Socially, each village is led by an elected chief and a council of elders, governed by unwritten customary laws.
How is Lu cultural identity preserved today?
The Lu in Lai Châu continue to preserve their cultural values, including weaving, basketry, and silversmithing. While teeth blackening has faded, understanding this practice offers insight into the rich heritage of this distinct community.
