The MnongorMunong people (Vietnamese: người Mơ-nông) are an ethnic group mainly living in Central Highlands and Southeast regions of Vietnam, and Eastern region of Cambodia. They are made up of two main groups: Western Mnong and Eastern Mnong. Western Mnong includes smaller groups such as: Bhiet (Bhiat), Bu-Neur, Rehong, Kong-Khang, Ksèh, Nong, Prèh, Tí-Prì, Perong, Bu-Deung (Pou-Thong). Eastern Mnong includes: Gar, Briet, Kil (Chil), Krieng, Kesiong (Kyong), Rlam (Rolum) living mainly in mountainous areas.[2]: 145–146
Mnong people during an elephant blessing ceremony in Buôn Đôn, Vietnam
| |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
 Vietnam 127,334 (2019)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Đắk Lắk, Đắk Nông, Lâm Đồng, Bình Phước - Vietnam Mondulkiri -  Cambodia | |
| Languages | |
| Mnong, others | |
| Religion | |
| Christian, Theravada Buddhism, Animist |
Every group speaks a variant of the Mnong language, which along with Koho language, is in the South Bhanaric group of the Mon–Khmer family.[3]
A big community with around 47,000 people of Mnong live in the Cambodia's northeastern boundary province of Mondulkiri where they are known as Bunong (alternatively spelled Phnong, Punong, or Pnong).[citation needed]
Epics (Mnong language: Ot N'rong - Ot: telling by singing, N'rong: old story) take an important part in Mnong people's life. Many of these epics, such as Con đỉa nuốt bon Tiăng (Mnong language: Ghu sok bon Tiăng, English: The leech swallows Tiăng village),[4]orMùa rẫy bon Tiăng (English: The farming season of Tiăng village) are quite long.[5]