SURNAME OF RA-GLAI PEOPLE

Abstract

In the language and spiritual culture of Ra-glai people, the surname (and first name) need to be paid attention from many aspects. Behind these very special words is social and cultural life, which partly reflects the perception of the world of Ra-glai people.
Raglai “surname” are often referred to as “sacred objects” or “patrons”, are totems or characteristics oftotems (things or natural phenomenas believed to be related to gods by the ancients, have a close bloody relation and be considered as their own sacred symbols). Through legends, it can be seen that the original “surnames” of the Raglai often contain “female”characteristics, associated with the traces of the great family form in matriarchal clans.
“Surnames” of the Ra-glai that are currently in the process of reservation and transformationare Vietnamized by “transliteration, translation”. This “cultural continuity” may make some of the Ra-glai culture no longer be “original”.