Stories behind numbers: Symbols in underground lottery gambling in Vietnam

This article explores the symbolic significance of numbers in Vietnam's underground lottery game, đề, based on ethnographic fieldwork in Ho Chi Minh City. It investigates how players interpret everyday events and dreams through numbers, creating a unique blend of personal and cultural symbolism...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inAnthropology today Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 13 - 16
Main Author Thu, Le Hoang Anh
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2024
Subjects
Activities of daily living
Cultural competence
Gambling
Games
Narratives
Subcultures
Symbolism
Symbols
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:This article explores the symbolic significance of numbers in Vietnam's underground lottery game, đề, based on ethnographic fieldwork in Ho Chi Minh City. It investigates how players interpret everyday events and dreams through numbers, creating a unique blend of personal and cultural symbolism. These number symbols function both publicly within the game's subculture and personally, resonating with broader anthropological discussions on the role of symbols in life narratives and cultural performances. By attaching numerical significance to mundane occurrences, players gain a sense of agency and foster shared cultural understanding. The article situates the lottery game within the broader context of Vietnamese culture, emphasizing the crucial role of numbers in daily life and calling for further exploration of numerical practices in Vietnamese society.
Bibliography:I am grateful to Aunt Sáu, my key informant and gatekeeper. I also wish to thank two anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments. This publication is supported by Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Research Findings Dissemination Subsidy.
ISSN:0268-540X
1467-8322
DOI:10.1111/1467-8322.12903