Giarai

The Giarai, also known as Jarai, are an indigenous ethnic group of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. They form one of the country’s larger minority communities, with the highest concentration in Gia Lai Province and smaller populations in Dak Lak and Kon Tum Provinces. Some Jarai communities also live across the border in Cambodia, notably in Mondulkiri and Ratanakkiri provinces. Their language, Jarai, is an Austronesian language closely related to Cham.

Language and identity: Jarai belongs to the Chamic subgroup of the Austronesian language family. It has multiple dialects and is traditionally transmitted orally, though many Jarai also use Vietnamese. In education, Latin-based orthography is increasingly used for writing Jarai alongside Vietnamese.

Culture and social structure: Jarai society is organized around extended families and clans that traditionally govern village life. Most villages feature stilt houses and communal spaces for ceremonies. The Jarai have a rich musical tradition centered on gong ensembles and ritual music, along with weaving and beadwork that adorn clothing and ceremonial regalia. Religion historically includes ancestor worship and animism, with many Jarai now practicing Protestantism or Catholicism alongside traditional beliefs.

Economy and modern changes: Traditionally they practice upland swidden agriculture, cultivating rice, maize, and other crops, supplemented by foraging and animal husbandry. In recent decades, economic change, education, and migration have altered village life; some Jarai participate in urban labor markets and diaspora communities in the United States, France, and Australia, while others maintain rural livelihoods.

Status and regional context: The Jarai are officially recognized as one of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. In Cambodia, Jarai communities contribute to the country’s ethnolinguistic diversity. The ongoing preservation of language and culture faces pressures from modernization and national-language policies, but cultural associations and local initiatives work to maintain Jarai heritage.