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"The Ethnic Groups of the Central Highlands" is a publication with scientifically and meticulously organized images and content about 11 ethnic groups that have long inhabited the Central Highlands, including: the Ba Na, Brau, Chu Ru, K'ho, Ede, Gia Rai, Gie, Trieng, Ma, M'Nong, Ro Mam, and Xo Dang, currently living in 5 provinces: Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong in Vietnam. It is known that this book follows two previous works by editor Nguyen Van Ky and Dr. Luu Hung: "The Central Highlands Tombs" (World Publishing House, 2003) and "The Central Highlands Communal House" (World Publishing House, 2006, 2017).
Cover of the book "Ethnic Groups of the Central Highlands"
With 475 photographs and accompanying descriptions and introductions to the traditional culture, nature, and distinctive customs of each ethnic group (each ethnic group has its own overview), the book is considered an invaluable comprehensive resource about Vietnam's vast highlands, meticulously compiled by the four authors.
In particular, Mr. Nguyen Van Ky – a photographer and former staff member of the Institute of Social Sciences – spent many years living and conducting research in the mystical and mysterious Central Highlands, allowing him and his colleagues to gather hundreds of rich, authentic, and valuable documents to include in this heartfelt photo book. Each person has a different perspective on the culture and stories of this wild, untamed land, but all share the common goal of creating a high-quality publication with content deeply rooted in regional identity, providing readers with the most authentic emotions and insights into the sun-drenched, gentle, and yet wondrous Central Highlands.
Besides the images created by the 17 main authors, the book also includes some photos contributed by various authors working in different fields, or from old archival sources, including black and white photos. Each image includes clear information such as location, time of capture, and photographer.
Besides reflecting aspects and current states of life and culture of ethnic groups in general, the book "Ethnic Groups of the Central Highlands" also serves as a useful tool to help readers better understand the issue of preserving and promoting traditional cultural heritage in practice. It is also a valuable resource for individuals particularly interested in the culture of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands, acting as an effective lever for research and study. Therefore, this photo book is suitable for all audiences, from general readers to those deeply interested in Vietnamese ethnic issues and culture.
In his overview article "The Ethnic Groups of the Central Highlands and Traditional Culture," Dr. Luu Hung clearly stated: "The ethnic groups of the Central Highlands are facing a worrying challenge in preserving their unique and long-standing cultural heritage. However, 'the new' and 'the old' are intertwined; in modern life, many traditional elements still exist, even if they may have been somewhat altered, mixed, 'modernized,' or even in some cases only in a formal or remnant form. In such a context, the heritage of the Central Highlands people that has been preserved to this day is extremely valuable and worthy of respect. For the Central Highlands as well as the whole country, it needs to be preserved, actively continued, and exploited and promoted for future generations."
"The Ethnic Groups of the Central Highlands" offers an honest perspective through rich and detailed documentation, helping readers understand the culture and lives of the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands within the context of societal changes and transformations.
The Central Highlands – a land of red soil, sun-drenched and windswept – still retains its original wild and barren beauty, with dense forests, wildlife, and austere people. All these elements blend together to create a land rich in wonder and giving rise to unmistakable indigenous cultures. The communal houses, the custom of drinking rice wine, elephant breeding, stilt house dwellings, farming practices, marriage customs… all are vividly recreated in over 260 pages of concise and meticulous content, accompanied by high-quality and authentic images.
Mrs. Nang Bun, 90 years old, is a surviving witness to the custom of facial tattooing. Photo: Nguyen Van Ky, 2006
"The Ethnic Groups of the Central Highlands" is now available in bookstores nationwide. Cover price: 456,000 VND/copy.
Regarding editor-in-chief Nguyen Van Ky:
Nguyen Van Ky was born in 1940 in Hoang Quang commune, Hoang Hoa district, Thanh Hoa province. He currently lives in Hanoi. He studied History at Hanoi University and was formerly a staff member of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. He is a member of the Vietnam Archaeological Society, the Vietnam Ethnological Society, the Vietnam Historical Society, the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, and the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP).
He is also the author and co-author of several published books on the customs and ethnic groups of Vietnam, including:
- Cham Cultural Heritage (World Publishing House, Hanoi 2007, 2008, 2012)
- Cham Sculpture (Social Sciences Publishing House, 1987 with Pham Huy Thong, Cao Xuan Pho, Pham Ngoc Long)
- A Study of Cham Culture (Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, 2005, with Ngo Van Doanh and Andrew Hardy)
- Vietnamese Temples (Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi 1993 with Ha Van Tan and Pham Ngoc Long; World Publishing House 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013)
- Vietnamese Temples (Ho Chi Minh City Publishing House, 1998 with Ha Van Tan)
- Le Dinh Vietnam (World Publishing House 2002 with Ha Van Tan)
- Central Highlands Tombs (World Publishing House, Hanoi 2003 with Luu Hung)
- The Central Highlands Communal House (World Publishing House 2006 with Luu Hung)
- The Xơ Đăng people in Vietnam (multiple authors, National Center for Social Sciences and Humanities - UNESCO, 1998).Contact information:
- Email: nguyenvanku@gmail.com.
- Phone: 0903265331 - 84.4.38521820
