Gie Trieng ethnic group

Proper name: Each group has its own name, such as: Gie, Trieng, Ve, Bnoong.

Other names: Ca Tang, Giang Ray.

Local groups: Gie (Gie), Trieng (T'rieng), Ve, Bnoong (Mnoong). The Gie are the most populous group.

Population: 26,924 people.

Language: The Gie-Trieng speak a language belonging to the Mon-Khmer group of languages (Austroasiatic language family), and their language is relatively close to the Sedang and Bana language. There are certain differences between the dialects of each group. Writing system was formed sometime before 1975, using the Latin alphabet.

History: The Gie-Trieng have long been inhabitants of the mountains called Ngoc Ling.

Production activities: The Gie-Trieng cultivate rice on terraced fields, sin the past, sticky rice was the popular agricultural crop. Today, other varieties of rice are more popular. The Gie-Trieng's cultivation practices are like those of other ethnic groups in the mountainous areas. The main tools are the axe, machete, a pointed digging stick to make holes in the ground for planting seeds, and a short-handled weeding hoe. All of the agricultural crops are grown on terraced fields. In addition to rice, the Gie-Trieng also cultivate corn, cassava, sorghum, Italian millet, sweet potato, red colocasia, pumpkin, melons, tobacco, cotton, sugar corn, banana, etc. They also raise cattle and other animals, including chickens, pigs, dogs, and water buffaloes.

Buffaloes are only killed as sacrificial offerings in religious rituals. Hunting, gathering and fashion provide foods that supplement the diet. The Gie-Trieng are very good at needle-work and embroidery. Weaving is also developed in many places. The Dac Pet area has a tradition of gold mining and pottery that is made by hand without using the wheel. In the past, bartering of goods was the basic form of trade. Nowadays, however, money is used.

Diet: The Gie-Trieng gene¬rally eat three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

They enjoy grilled fish and meat. Soup is also a popular dish at meals. Bowls and chopsticks are commonly used now, although in the past the Gie-Trieng simply used their hands. The traditional drinks are fresh water, wine (consumed by using straws or pipes) made from rice, corn, cassava, Italian millet, and wine made from a tree, which belongs to the coconut family. Both male and female use pipes to smoke tobacco.

Housing: There are groups of Gie and Trieng living in Dac Giay district of Kon Turn province, in Phuoc Son and Tra Mi districts of Quang Nam province, and, especially for the Trieng and the Ve in Giang district. They generally live in large long-houses built on I stilts. These long-houses have I many "kitchens" and is a type of house that is both traditional and popular. Especially in the areas where the Gie and Bnoong live, it is typical that the whole village stays in only a couple of long-houses. Nowadays in some areas, single-story houses are built on the ground, not on stilts. In many places, with the exception of the Bnoong group, there is usually a big and beautiful community house in each village. In Giang and Dac Giay, the custom of building houses in a circular formation, leaving a big open space in the centre, is a long-held traditional practice.

Clothing: Traditionally, men wore only loin cloth, wrapping themselves in a blanket during cold weather. Women wear shirts, and wrapped skirts; some of them wear a long one-piece skirt that covers from chest down to feet. The women like to wear lots of jewelry: silver, brass, and beat necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Women of wealthy families have earrings made of elephant ivory. However, choosing more modern Vietnamese style clothing is becoming more common nowadays, even in the remote villages.

Transportation: The Gie- Trieng uses baskets, of many kinds and sizes, including thick and thin ones, those that are blackened and with decorations. Some baskets are for daily use, to store things at home, and some are used only by men, etc.

Social organization: The villagers belong to different kinship lines, and each one has its own legend about its origin, name, and taboos. In the past, there were different family names for men and women. The social structures in Gie- Trieng villages are close and important. The village elder is highly respected, due largely to his knowledge and experience, and also because he is often regarded as the founder of the village. The society has remnants of a matriarchal system, but is transforming into a patriarchal society.