The total population is 227,716 people (2009) who are majorly living in two provinces as Gia Lai (150,416 people) and KonTum (53997 people) and the rest living in Binh Dinh (18.175 people) and Phu Yen (4155). Among ethics who speak Mon –Kho Me in Central Highland, Ba Na has the highest population. This ethics is also the second large population who use Mon – Kho Me language across Vietnam.
Before the liberty of Southern Vietnam in 1975, Ba Na’s social management was influenced by many social factors of previous mechanism. For example, it is the centralization of village in social organization, rules and regulations in social coordination, the management of village elders, families with at least two generations living together, marriage, too much focus on reputation and old life style so on. Since 1975, especially when Vietnam started its Reformation, the social management has gradually kept up with the changes and growth of whole country despite its slow speed in comparison with other minorities in Central Highland. It, however, has contributed to promote the socio – economic growth of Bana.
Hence, researches and studies on social management of Bana ethics are always scientifically meaningful and practical which help to clarify the rules of social management transformation from traditional society which were ruled by old regulations to a modern one which is managed by law. The research results are also useful for providing suggestions to building mechanism, making management policies on social growth in order to promote the socio – economic development of Bana people today.
Based on practical demands, Social Sciences Publishing House published the book on Social Management of Bana ethics (Gia Lai Province) in the sustainable growth by Associate Prof. Dr. Bui Minh Dao (Institute of Central Highland Social Sciences – VASS) in December 2013. The book was written based on the survey in 8 villages which belong to 5 communes of Dac Doa, MangYang and Krong Chro in 2012 and 2013. Villages joined in the survey are divided into 2 groups as Ba Na Tho Lo (Ya Ma Ktu, Nhang Lon – Dak King, Tnung, Mang – Yama, Krong Chro), Ba Na Bo Nom (Brung – A Yun, Roh – Lo Pang, Mang Yang. They are remote villages of Gia Lai province and could be examples for the traditional characteristics of social management as a way to provide the real viewpoints and clarify the topic research.
Apart form the Beginning Chapter and Conclusion, the book content is described through 3 parts: Part 1: Some theoretical issues and overview of Bana ethic in Gia Lai; Part 2: The reality of social management in Bana – Gia Lai today; Part 3: issues, trending, recommendations and solutions to social management in Bana – Gia Lai today.
In the first part of the book, author has pointed out some theoretical issues including (1) Some theories of social management; (2) An overview of Bana people in Gia Lai; and (3) Some points of management of traditional society. Its purpose is to help readers easily to approach and understand the definition, history and characteristics of economy, culture and society of Bana ethics in a village environment and in the relationship of social classes and the meaning of community connection so on.
The second part focused on analyzing and clarifying the reality of social management in Bana in current circumstance, including: The social management of Communist Party, local government, political groups and impacts of social management of civic organizations (traditional society organization, Catholic and Protestant groups); Determining issues related to social management through positive and limited factors and reasons which affect the socio – economic development and national security and political stability.
The third part has incisively discussed about the social management with the following topics: Aware of the starting point of society and economy if Bana people in the socio – economic growth, the differences of social management between regions in Bana – Gia Lai; the special role of social management team at village level. All of these contents provided the evaluations of the social management in positive and negative aspects then analyzing these points as well as looking for the reason of limitation. Also, there is forecast of the current trending of social management and suggestion of new ideas, solutions and recommendation which are the scientific foundation for building the sustainable social management policy of Bana and Central Highland minorities.
Pham Vinh Ha
