Some thoughts on San Chay (Cao Lan-San Chi) ethnicity

Abstract

Since 1979, the ethnicity of San Chay has been defined in the list of ethnicities in Vietnam. According to researches, this ethnicity includes 2 local groups: Cao lan and San Chi. However, there have been conflicting ideas on whether these 2 groups are classified into 1 ethnicity. The paper has discussed cultural, language and ethnic awareness issues between 2 groups to prove that, despite some minor differences, these 2 groups are of the same origin and they share some cultural identities. The author comes to the conclusion that it is reasonable to classify these two groups into 1 ethnic minority.