Organization of Guild and Its Ethnic Cohesive Quality in the Tay and Nung Communities in Thach Dan Commune, Cao Loc District, Lang Son Province

Abstract

This research accesses the relationship of mutual help and the role of community cohesion of the guild organization of the Tay and Nung people in Thach Dan commune, Cao Loc district, Lang Son province. In the funeral, all works from the smallest jobs (such as cleaning up house, washing tableware) to the big jobs (such as making and carrying coffin, digging grave and so on) have been contrived by the guild. The mutual material help is expressed by the assistance of rice, wine, firewood and money of the members of guild for the bereaved. Together with those, it is mutual spiritual help such as a condolatory meal and condolences of the guild to the bereaved which make contribution to strengthening community cohesion. The mutual assistance of the guild has been established owing to the belief and has been maintained on the principle “reciprocity” (bát mưng, bát câu). This social relationship together with other interlaced social, cultural relationships have created the durable community cohesion of the Tay and Nung people from the traditional time to modern one