Tày people

Tày people
Group	Tày people
Native name	Người Tày
Population	~1.8 million (2019)
Regions	Vietnam, China
Region1	Vietnam
Pop1	1,845,492
Region2	China (Guangxi)
Pop2	Estimated tens of thousands
Languages	Tày language, Vietnamese language
Religions	Then (religion), Buddhism, Ancestor worship
Related	Zhuang people, Nùng people, Bouyei people

Tày people. The Tày are a Tai-speaking ethnic group and one of the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam. They are the largest ethnic minority in the country, primarily inhabiting the northern mountainous provinces and midlands. With a rich cultural heritage, they have played a significant role in the history and development of the northern Vietnamese regions.

Demographics and distribution

The Tày population in Vietnam is concentrated in provinces such as Lạng Sơn, Cao Bằng, Bắc Kạn, Thái Nguyên, and Quảng Ninh. Significant communities also reside in Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, and Bắc Giang. Beyond Vietnam, a smaller population of Tày live across the border in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, where they are often classified under the broader Zhuang people designation. Their traditional settlements are typically located in valley floors, along rivers, and at the base of mountains, favoring areas suitable for wet-rice cultivation. This distribution places them in close proximity to other ethnic groups like the Nùng people, Dao people, and Hmong people.

Language

The Tày speak the Tày language, a member of the Tai-Kadai language family and more specifically the Central Tai languages. It is closely related to the languages of the Zhuang people in China and the Nùng people in Vietnam. The language has several dialects, generally categorized into northern and southern groups. While the Tày language lacks a traditional indigenous writing system, a modified Chữ Nôm script and later a Latin script-based Vietnamese alphabet orthography have been used. Vietnamese language proficiency is widespread due to the national education system and media, leading to varying degrees of bilingualism, especially among the younger generation.

History

The Tày are considered among the earliest inhabitants of the northern Vietnamese highlands, with a continuous presence predating the southward expansion of the Kinh majority. Throughout history, their ancestral lands were part of various local chieftaincies and later incorporated into Vietnamese dynastic states like the Lý dynasty, Trần dynasty, and Lê dynasty. They were integral to regional trade networks along routes like the historical trade paths between Đại Việt and the Qing dynasty. During the French Indochina period and subsequent conflicts, including the First Indochina War and Vietnam War, Tày regions were crucial bases for the Việt Minh and later the People's Army of Vietnam. Many Tày soldiers served in units like the Vietnam People's Air Force and participated in pivotal campaigns such as the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ.

Culture and society

Tày culture is distinguished by its stilt-house architecture, vibrant textile traditions featuring indigo dye, and a rich oral literature of proverbs, folk songs, and poetic dialogues known as *"lượn"*. Their most important spiritual practice is Then (religion), a form of ritual singing and worship performed by male or female priests to communicate with the celestial realm. Major festivals include the Lồng Tồng (Going to the Field) ceremony to pray for a good harvest and celebrations for the Lunar New Year. Traditional social organization was based on village (*"bản"*) structures led by a council of elders. While patrilineal, Tày society often exhibits relatively gender-balanced practices compared to some neighboring groups.

Economy

The traditional Tày economy is based on sedentary wet-rice agriculture in terraced and valley paddies, often using irrigation systems. They also practice horticulture, cultivating crops like maize, cassava, and various vegetables. Animal husbandry, raising buffalo, cattle, pigs, and poultry, is common. Forest product gathering, including bamboo, medicinal plants, and timber, supplements their livelihood. In recent decades, market integration has increased, with many Tày engaging in small-scale trade, selling agricultural produce in local markets like those in Đồng Văn or Cao Bằng, and participating in regional commerce. Tourism, particularly in areas like Bản Giốc Waterfall and Ba Bể Lake, is a growing economic sector.

Notable Tày people

Several Tày individuals have gained prominence in modern Vietnam. Hoàng Văn Thái was a senior general in the People's Army of Vietnam and a key figure in the Vietnam War. Nông Thị Trưng is a celebrated singer known for preserving traditional Tày music. Triệu Tài Vinh is a successful contemporary businessman. In the political sphere, figures like Hà Thị Khiết have held high office in the Communist Party of Vietnam. Athletes such as Hoàng Xuân Vinh, although Kinh, have trained and drawn support from multi-ethnic regions including Tày areas.

Category:Tày people Category:Ethnic groups in Vietnam Category:Tai peoples