The RA GLAI Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam

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    The RA GLAI have a population of more than 108,442 inhabitants, living chiefly in southern Khanh Hoa¹ Province and Ninh Thuan² Province. They are also called Ra-glay (or Rac Lay), Rai, and Orang Glai. Their language belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian³ Group.

    Formerly, in their nomadic life, the RA GLAI grew rice and maize in slash-and-bum plots of land. Today, they also develop wet-rice cultivation. Hunting, picking gathering husbandry and handicrafts (chiefly blacksmithing and basketry) play an important role in each family.

    The RA GLAI settle in pa-lay (villages) in high and flat terrains which near the source of water. Stilted houses are their traditional abodes. The floor Is often not more than one meter above the ground. A family usually comprises parents and unmarried children. A pa-lay is headed by a po pa-lay (village chief) who is generally the first person reclaiming the land plot. He is responsible for conducting the heaven-and-earth praying ceremony when a serious drought occurs. Matriarchy remains in existence in Ra Glai society: Children take their mother’s family name. The mother /wife as house owner has the right to decide family affairs. A young girl’s parents prepare the wedding ceremony for her daughter. In marriage, besides the mother, her younger brother has a fairly important role. The RA GLAI has many family lineages: Cham, Ma-lec, Pi Nang Pu Puol, Asah, Ka-to and others, among which the Cham Ma-lec is the largest. Each family lineage has its own history and tale retracing its origin.

    The RA GLAI conceive that there is a spiritual world of good genles and devils. They also believe In the existence of the souls of dead persons. They possess epics, legends and old tales of profound historic, artistic and educational values. Alternating songs are popular. Musical instruments are rich, including gongs, monochords, lip organs and bamboo tube instruments. The RA GLAI also like kite-flying.

    Evervy year after the harvest all villagers gather together and organize their traditional thankgiving.

RA GLAI’s fireplace (Source: VNA Publishers)

SEE MORE:
◊  The COMMUNITY of 54 ETHNIC GROUPS in Vietnam – Section 1.
◊  The BA NA Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The BO Y Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The BRAU Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The BRU-VAN KIEU Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The CHO RO Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The CO HO Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The CONG Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The CHUT Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The CHU RU Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The CHAM Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The DAO Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  The GIAY Community of 54 Ethnic groups in Vietnam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo): CONG DONG 54 Dan toc Viet Nam – Phan 1.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi BA NA  trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi BO Y trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi BRAU trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi BRU-VAN KIEU  trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi CHO RO trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi CHAM trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi CHU RU trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi CHUT trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi CONG trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi DAO trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi GIAY trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi GIA RAI trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi HOA trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi KHANG trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  Vietnamese version (vi-VersiGoo) with Web-Voice (Web-Audio):  Nguoi KHMER trong Cong dong 54 Dan toc anh em o Viet Nam.
◊  etc.

BAN TU THU
09 /2020

NOTES:
¹ : … updating…

NOTE:
◊  Source & Images:  54 Ethnic Groups in Vietnam, Thong Tan Publishers, 2008.
◊ All citations and italic textes has been set by Ban Tu Thu – thanhdiavietnamhoc.com