Name of
Ethnic Group:Ra Glai (Ra Glay,
Krai, Orang Glai, No-Ana, and La Vang).
Population:
More than 70,000 people.
Locality:
Mainly in the southern regions of Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan Province.
Customs
and Habits: The Ra Glai believe there is a spiritual world known as
"Giang" that includes good and evil forces. They traditionally live in stilted
houses. The pa-lay is headed by a po pa-lay (a village chief who is generally the first
landowner).
Matriarchy
remains in existence in Ra Glai society, as the children take the family name of their
mother. If a young woman wants to marry a young man, she will first ask her parents if
they can prepare the wedding ceremony. During the marriage process, the bride's younger
brother has a fairly important say in the decision making.
After the harvest season, all villagers gather to pay thanks to
"Giang" and to enjoy the new rice harvest.
Culture:
The Ra Glai language belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian Group.
Economy:
Formerly the Ra Glai simply grew rice and maize using slash-and-burn farming techniques.
They also developed wet rice agriculture. Hunting, picking, gathering, and making
handicrafts are other forms on income
generation.
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