THE NGAI ETHNIC COMMUNITY IN QUANG NINH PROVINCE

Abstract

The
Ngai
ethnic
group
is
a
minority
community
in
Vietnam,
primarily
residing
in
Quang
Ninh
Province.
They
originate
from
southern
provinces
of
China
such
as
Guangdong,
Fujian,
and
Hainan.
The
Ngai
people
have
experienced
a
migration
history
spanning
several
centuries,
marked
by
four
major
waves
corresponding
with
political
and
social
upheavals
in
China.
Linguistically,
they
speak
languages
belonging
to
the
Sinitic
group
and
formerly
used
Chinese
characters
in
communication,
administration,
and
religious
practices.
Economically,
the
Ngai
are
known
for
their
traditional
handicrafts
such
as
ceramics,
weaving,
blacksmithing,
coal
mining,
salt
production,
and
fishing.
Culturally,
they
possess
rich
customs
related
to
clothing,
housing,
cuisine,
and
folk
beliefs.
Their
folk
performing
arts
are
vibrant,
featuring
musical
instruments,
Peking
opera,
lion
and
dragon
dances,
and
religious
rituals
deeply
influenced
by
Taoism.
The
traditional
cultural
values
of
the
Ngai
people
are
a
precious
heritage
that
should
be
preserved
and
promoted
in
the
process
of
building
a
diverse
and
unified
Vietnamese
culture.