Aspects of Mon identity included their traditions, customs, language, and traditional dress. One distinct lifestyle was that they adhered to Buddhist teachings. Mon people were interdependent and their families were of the extended type with respect to seniority. Administratively, they were democratic. Current cultural identity is that fewer people are proficient in their ethnic language and traditional dress is found only on Song Kran Festival. Traditional food is different from Thai food in that it is more gooey and sour. Thai-style houses are still constructed, but they are fewer in number nowadays. Traditional Mon music, performing arts, and plays have rarely been performed. Folk wisdom on healing sickness is no longer existent and animism is less practiced because they are mostly Buddhists. However, traditional identity is strongest, especially religious tradition which is the only identity aspect that has remained unchanged.