THE GIAY

 

Derivatives: Nhang, Dang, Pau Thin, Pu Na, Cui Chu and Xa

Population: 49,098 people (as of 1999)

Locality: Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Lai Chau, and Cao Bang Provinces

 

Customs and culture

The Giay worship their ancestors and believe in animism. They live in villages in valleys of the mountainous regions. Their communities seem to be more settled down than other neighboring ethnic groups.

 

The Giay seem to be more patriarchal and the children takes the family name from the father.

Language: Giay language belongs to the Tay-Thai Group.

 

Dress:

Men wear trousers and a short vest. Women wear a vest with the front flap wrapped across the body to the side where it's buttoned to the rear flap. 

 

Economy:

The Giay grow rice in submerged fields.