The worldviews of the So ethnic group have been passed down from generation to generation. An investigation of the worldviews of the So concerning humanity and society revealed that the So are a Mon-Khmer ethnic group preferring to reside in mountains and jungles. The ethnic group accepts the authority of state officials because they are regarded as a ruling class. They tend to marry within their own group and prefer sons to daughters. They follow their leaders strictly. Furthermore, they are very proud of their ethnicity and clan. They like to make merit without causing harm to others.


The So view is that man is a part of nature, consisting of earth, water, wind and fire. Nature plays a major part in the livelihood of the ethnic group. From the past to the present, the ethnic group has had a close bond with mountains, forests and nature. However, nature, such as supernatural beings, has power over man. At the same time, the ethnic group believes in the law of actions, good and bad, and animism. It is a combination between Buddhism and animism.


Worldviews of the So influence various aspects of their livelihood. Socially, they have stronger bonds with relatives and people of the same ethnic group than with outsiders. Economically, the So still practice subsistence agriculture. They are not keen on commercial farming and do not accept new technologies, whether in the fields of education or public health.