Jarai

The Jarai are an indigenous ethnic group of Southeast Asia, primarily inhabiting the Central Highlands of Vietnam, with smaller populations in Cambodia and Laos. They are one of Vietnam’s 54 recognized ethnic groups and form part of the broader Montagnard population of highland communities.

The Jarai language is a member of the Bahnaric sub-branch of the Austroasiatic language family. It is spoken by Jarai communities across Vietnam and neighboring countries, with many speakers also fluent in Vietnamese or Khmer in border areas.

Traditionally, Jarai communities live in upland villages on stilts and practice subsistence agriculture, including upland rice cultivation and swidden farming. Social life centers on extended kin networks, and cultural expression is carried by music, weaving, and crafts. Bronze gong ensembles play a prominent role in ceremonies and celebrations, and ritual activity often centers on ancestor veneration and community rites.

Religious life among the Jarai includes traditional animist beliefs intertwined with ancestor worship. Since the 20th century, a significant portion of Jarai has adopted Christianity, especially Protestant denominations, leading to syncretic practices in some communities. Some Jarai also engage with Buddhism or Catholicism, depending on location and missionary influence.

Historically, the Jarai have lived in the Central Highlands alongside other highland groups. During the Vietnam War era, many Jarai and other Montagnards allied with or supported U.S. forces. Following the war, many fled as refugees to the United States and other countries, contributing to a dispersed Jarai diaspora while cultural and educational programs helps preserve language and customs within Vietnam and abroad.