Ngai ethnic group
Customs and habits
A typical Ngai house consists of
three rooms. All families have ancestor altars, and all hamlets have temples
and pagodas built to honour the dead. The Ngai have great respect for their
ancestors, as well as souls and spirits. Young women do not receive their
inheritance after their parents die. Young Ngai people must obey their parents’
wishes. Marriage is comprised of two steps: a wedding and a nuptial rite.
Culture
The Ngai language belongs to the
Han group. The Ngai maintain a love duet called the "Suong Co" that
exemplifies their rich cultural heritage. Other forms of entertainment include
a lion dance, a stick dance and a follow-the-leader game.
Costumes
The Ngai wears garments similar to
the Hoa (or Han).
Economy
The Ngai live mainly on rice
cultivation and fishing. They have a very elaborate system of water irrigation
as a result of digging canals, building dams and water reservoirs, and
reinforcing sea dykes. They are also good at mat-making, bamboo screen making,
blacksmithing, carpentry, and lime, tile and brick-baking.
