Changes in the Cultural Value of the Ethic Chơ-Ro in Dong Nai Province, Viet Nam

Abstract

In the last decades of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century, Vietnam entered a period of strong industrialisation and modernisation. The growth rate of industrialisation and urbanisation in Dong Nai Province is very high, thus speeding up the process of modernisation. The rapid economic growth helps to improve the material and spiritual life of the people. In addition to economic development, new cultural and social issues have also emerged, especially changes in the cultural values of minority communities. This article studies the cultural changes of the ethnic Chơ-ro in Dong Nai Province. These changes stem from environmental changes such as life and economic activities and cultural exchange with other races living in the same area. Such changes are inevitable in ethnic minority communities in Vietnam. However, for the Chơ-ro people, this trend of change has become more intense, because people’s living environment has been greatly embroiled since 1950s. In addition, there is no emotional connection between their religious mentality, customs, and daily life. The traditional cultural value of Chơ-ro will gradually disappear under the current momentum and will be replaced by a new cultural value system.