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In Vietnam, Men Parade But Women Rule at Festival Called 'Kate'

Reuters

   PHAN RANG, VIETNAM - Thousands of Vietnam's ethnic Cham people met
   under rainy late September skies for their annual "Kate" festival that,
   according to the multi-faith community's calendar, marks the end of one
   harvest season and the beginning of another.

   The Cham are descendants of a powerful ancient kingdom that once
   spanned large parts of central and southern Vietnam a millennium ago.

   They are a traditionally matriarchal society, which worships a female
   goddess and expects the youngest daughter to inherit family assets.

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