Living in the valleys along major streams, the Muong people engage in wet-rice farming and hunting.

Hunting tools

Since ancient times, hunting was the main economic activity of the Muong people, who mainly used natural materials like bamboo, wood and rock to make their hunting tools. On land, traps are mainly used, even after the introduction of firearms. Traps are made from rock slabs with bait placed on the triggers. When animals step on triggers, the traps snap closed and the heavy rock slabs kill the animals. The traps can also be made from iron or bamboo, and placed on trails, which hold the preys through the elasticity of the bamboo planks and iron spirals.

Nets can also be made into traps suitable for hunting at night. They are set on the sides of trails at twilight by hunters who then hide nearby. As animals move along the trails, the hunters begin making a lot of noise causing the animals to leave the trails and run into the traps.

Cross-bows are the most ancient hunting tool used by the Muong people for small animals and birds. Unlike the noisy flint-locks that scare away animals, cross-bows are quiet and allow hunters to return to the same area many times.

Living along rivers and streams, the Muong have developed effective fishing tools and techniques. Centuries ago, they learned to make fishing nets from tree bark. Tens of rafts form a circle and the nets are simultaneously thrown into the water to the cheers of hundreds of villagers. The Muong people do not eat fish eggs, so the pregnant fishes are released while the remainder is equally divided among the households. Fishing this way happens only once or twice a year and brings a festive atmosphere to the Muong villages. Another fishing method is to place large bamboo baskets with "one way" lids into flowing streams, allowing fish to enter but not escape.

Now that the nation’s forest coverage has shrunk and cultural and economic exchanges have been boosted, hunting activities have become scarce and their economic significance has almost vanished. In many localities, young Muong do not know of their ancestors' hunting methods.

Vietnam Pictorial