A few simple features of the Ngai ethnic group

The Ngai ethnic group belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language group, including the Sin, Le, Hac Ca groups... mostly residing in the midlands and coastal areas, with convenient transportation conditions. Let's find out information about the Ngai ethnic group, Vietnam with iGuide.ai!

1. Historical origin

The Ngai people originated from Ngu Dong, Phong Thanh district, Guangdong province (China). Currently, they live mainly in Mong Cai, Quang Ha, Tien Yen (Quang Ninh) and some localities in Ha Bac, Bac Thai, Cao Lang, Ha Tuyen provinces. The word "Ngai" is a variation of the word "Ngai" (Nga), meaning "I"; from the Sino-Vietnamese word "Ngai" and in Cantonese it is "Nghai". The Ngai people call themselves "Ngai". They also call themselves "San Ngai", meaning "people of the forest", which reflects their past and present residence. They are one of the earliest inhabitants in Vietnam, claiming to be indigenous "pún ti ý" residents.

2. Population and language

The Ngai population, according to the 53 Ethnic Minority Survey on April 1, 2019, is 1,649 people, of which 881 are male and 768 are female. The average household size is 3.7 people/household; 72.2% of the population lives in rural areas. Regarding language, the Ngai speak a language belonging to the Han language group (Sino-Tibetan language family). The Hac Ca (Hakka, meaning Guest) or Ngai Hac Ca people have a language similar to the Ngai Ngu Dong language.

3. Geographic distribution

The Ngai people formerly settled in An Binh district, Gia Ung prefecture (Guangdong province). After the failure of the Taiping Rebellion (1849-1863), in which they participated, and were suppressed by the Qing Dynasty, they had to migrate to Vietnam. Currently, they reside mainly in Quang Ha, Tien Yen (Quang Ninh) and some other localities.

4. Main features

Food:The Ngai people like to eat porridge and green vegetables. They like to use spices such as garlic, chili, and ginger in their meals.

Skin:Ngai clothing is usually not embroidered. Men wear long pants and shirts with 2 or 3 pockets. Women wear 5-panel shirts that extend past the buttocks, button the fabric on the right armpit, and like to braid their hair around their heads.

Location:The Ngai people live scattered in the provinces of Bac Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh, mainly living on earth with many different architectural styles and roofing materials. Those living on the coast and islands often live on boats.

Wedding:The marriage system is monogamous. Each wedding has two ceremonies: the first is the wedding ceremony, the second is the wedding ceremony. The age of marriage is early, and the marriage is highly for sale.Funeral:The Ngai believe that after death, the soul will live in another world. They often bury with the deceased the burial objects they used when alive. The funeral has many complicated stages: reporting the death, putting the coffin in, burying, opening the grave...

Worship:The Ngai people believe in the existence of the body and soul in humans, as well as of gods and spirits. They worship many objects such as ancestors, gods, Buddha, forest ghosts and the souls of all living beings, with different rituals and offerings. A group of people specializing in religious practices has formed.

Holidays:In addition to popular holidays such as Tet Nguyen Dan and Han Thuc, the Ngai people have a New Rice Festival on the 10th day of the 10th lunar month.Learn:The Ngai people speak many different dialects of Southern Chinese, but in the past few people were literate. Today, most school-age children know the national language and the common language.

Arts:The Ngai people's art is rich with forms such as folk songs, folk dances and oral literature. They have many legends, fairy tales, idioms and proverbs expressing their worldview and outlook on life, which have humanistic significance to this day.

5. Economic conditions

Crop:Wet rice is the main crop, the Ngai people call the fields then and work the fields pha then. Both sticky and non-glutinous rice are grown, non-glutinous rice accounts for about 2/3 of the field area. Due to the use of traditional varieties and the lack of widespread application of science and technology, rice productivity is not high. Since 2000, hybrid rice varieties have been applied, changing the crop calendar.

Animal husbandry:The Ngai mainly raise buffaloes for draught power and manure. Pigs and poultry are also commonly raised to provide food during festivals, worship and for sale. In the past, livestock and poultry were raised on natural food and sweet potato leaves, corn and cassava.

Forestry:Forestry activities are mainly auxiliary due to the favorable location for agriculture and the service and trade sectors. Forestry is not strongly developed, only stopping at the level of natural exploitation.

Industry:Crafts such as making molasses, making wooden products, weaving, and making bricks and tiles are mainly secondary occupations. Products from weaving and making wooden products are sustainable but rarely become commodities. Previously, many Ngai households worked in sugarcane pressing and manual sugar production.

Service exchange:Living in the lowlands and near markets, the Ngai people in Tam Thai have been involved in trade since early on. They organize long trading trips with products such as honey, brown sugar, molasses, herbal medicine, tea, candy, noodles, and vermicelli. According to a survey in June 2015 in the Ngai community in Tam Thai village (Quang Nam), service trade is increasingly diversified with activities at the market, dispensing herbal medicine, opening grocery stores, breakfast shops, and selling dog meat.

Above is some interesting information about the Ngai ethnic group in Vietnam. Let's plan to explore, meet and experience the culture of the Ngai people with iGuide.ai in the near future!

Source:
- Ethnic groups in Vietnam (National Political Publishing House Truth)
- Basic characteristics of 54 ethnic minorities in 2019 (Committee on Ethnic Minorities and General Statistics Office)
- Website of the Ethnic Committee, Website of Nhan Dan Newspaper
- Survey results collect information on the socio-economic status of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam)