Churu people
Pediment with ascetic figure, Po Rome, Ninh Thuan, 14th-16th century AD, sandstone - Museum of Vietnamese History - HCMC | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Vietnam 23,242 (2019) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Lâm Đồng - Bình Thuận | |
| Languages | |
| Religion | |
| Ethnic religion (majority), Christianity, Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chams and other Austronesian peoples |
The Churu (or Chru) people are a Chams related ethnic group living mainly in Lâm Đồng, and Bình Thuận provinces of Central Vietnam. They speak Chru, a Malayo-Polynesian language. The word Churu means Land Expander in their language.: 12–15 The Churu's population was 23,242 in 2019.
Some Churu villages have close ties with the Kaho people, so they speak Koho fluently, and even prefer Koho to Chru.: 13 : 140
During the French colonial period, the most influential highland leaders in Đà Lạt area were Churu. They were said to be the most advanced among the highlanders because of their historical links to the Chams.