The Giay, also known as Nheng, Dang, Pu Na, Cui Chu, and Xa, have a population of about 25,000 people, living mostly in Lai Chau province.
The Giay have a long history of development and rich and diverse culture.
One of the unique cultural features is the bride-welcoming ceremony celebrated in a traditional wedding.
Locals believe that the bigger the wedding and the more participants, the happier and longer the marriage will be.
The Giay prefer to organize a wedding at the end of the year when they have finished the farm work. Before the bride-welcoming ceremony, the couple go through other rituals such as the proposal and official engagement.
Leading the groom’s delegation are two female matchmakers, the key people to convince the bride’s family’s to bring out the bride.
The delegates to take the bride home always attend in pairs, with two female matchmakers, the groomsmen, and an even number of people carrying the offerings.
The wedding gifts should always include one vase of white liquor, two baskets of cakes, and two baskets for chicken.
Along the route to the bride’s house, the ceremonial music team play the Pi Keo clarinets until they reach the gate of the bride’s house.
The sound of the Pi Keo clarinets announces the bride-welcoming ceremony. Once villagers hear the sound of the Pi Keo, they will join the groom's relatives and follow the group to the bride’s house.
The gate of the bride’s house is tied with a red string. A matchmaker stands outside and performs the singing ritual to ask for the opening of the gate.
When the gate is opened, representatives of the bride’s family use a tree branch to sprinkle water on the groom’s delegates to wash away dust and bad luck.
The representatives of the bride’s family invite the matchmakers to drink liquor to pray for good luck and celebrate the new in-law relationship.
The groom’s delegates sing and play Pi Keo clarinets to persuade the bride’s family to untie the red string and welcome them into their home.
The two families talk about the future life of the couple.
The bride-welcoming ceremony takes place smoothly. Representatives of the two families communicate and drink liquor.
The ceremonial music team plays drums and Pi Keo clarinets while taking the bride to the groom’s family.
The bride is covered in a red scarf on the way to her husband’s house.
The groom happily removes the red scarf and the young couple begins their new life.
This is the way Giay villagers in Lai Chau preserve and promote their cultural identity.
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