Marriage Customs of the Black Thái in Nậm Giải Commune Tradition and Change

Abstract

Quế Phong is a remote mountainous district in Nghệ An province. It shares 73.10 km of border with Muang Quan and Sam to districts, Houaphan province, Laos. As of July 2016/ Quế Phong has a population of over 70,000, including the Việt (Kinh), Thái, Hmong and Khmu ethnic groups, in which the Thái comprise over 90% of this tigure. Nậm Giải ("winding stream") is a remote border commune in Quế Phong district, situated over 20 km from the district center. According to local elders, the Thái in Nậm Giải belong to the Black Thái branch (the Tày Thanh group) with roots in Laos.¹