Total population | |
---|---|
( Vietnam 227,716 (2009)) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Vietnam, United States | |
Languages | |
Vietnamese as a second language | |
Religion | |
Traditional religion, Christianity | |
Related ethnic groups | |
? |
The Bahnar (also spelled Ba Na) are an ethnic group of Vietnam living primarily in the Central Highland provinces of Gia Lai and Kon Tum, as well as the coastal provinces of Bình Định and Phú Yên. They speak a language in the Mon–Khmer language family.
Like many of the other ethnic groups of Vietnam's Central Highlands, the Bahnar play a great number of traditional musical instruments, including ensembles of pitched gongs and string instruments made from bamboo. These instruments are sometimes played in concert for special occasions, which may also involve ceremonial Rượu cần (rice wine) drinking and group dancing.
Epics (Bahnar language: h'amon) such as Dam Noi represent centuries-old aspirations of Banar people.