Religion

Unreached People. The Giay in Vietnam are an unreached people group. There a small number of Catholics among the Giay in China; however, no known believers exist in Vietnam.

Their bondage is to a mix of traditions, but the dominant belief system is polytheism. Most of the Giay understand that life is more than materialism. They are correct in this belief. Unfortunately, they know no other way to deal with spiritual things than to try to worship or appease false gods and spirit beings that, if they exist at all, are demonic. Some of the younger generation have embraced atheism, probably due to their indoctrination under the Communist system of education.

Polytheism. The Lahu practice a religion termed polytheism. But the religious world-view of the Giay, like most minority groups in Vietnam, is complicated. Their beliefs combine elements of Taoism, ancestor worship and animism, as well as other superstitious ideas. Polytheism is the worship of many gods. Animism holds that both living and non-living things possess spirits. These beliefs combine to create a life of bondage to and fear of the spirit world. The main deities that they worship through rituals are the spirit of heaven, the spirit of the earth and the spirit of the kitchen. They also worship ancestors, including the ancestors of the female side of the family, and consider them the family guardians. One other commonly-worshipped goddess is the Goddess of Childbirth. Some of these deities are derived from Taoism.

Ancestor worship. Like the Tay, Nung and many other minority people, the Giay worship their ancestors. They believe that the spirits of their ancestors can assist and bless them. They worship not only their parents, but also more distant ancestors on both sides of the family. An exception may be made in the case of serious illness. In that event, the previous three generations may be entreated for help and healing. The altar dedicated to worship of the parents is located in their homes at the head of their bed.

Other Beliefs. Each Giay village has a “forbidden forest” where the biggest tree is considered sacred. Twice each year the spirit of the village is worshipped at the foot of the tree. Whenever these rituals take place, outsiders and visitors are strictly forbidden to enter the village. Bamboo barricades are erected at the entrances of the village to keep strangers away. Parts of sacrificed animals are then hung from the tree; pig or buffalo ears, chicken’s feet, and tufts of animal hair are commonly used.

Funerals. The Giay believe the universe is comprised of three separate levels. The upper level is the abode of spirits and the souls of the deceased. It is a beautiful and glorious place. The middle strata contains humans, animals and this world, while the lowest level is situated under the earth, a place of evil and wickedness. When there is a death, the immediate family has the responsibility to conduct a proper funeral to make sure that the soul is escorted to the upper level. If the funeral is not done correctly, the soul will be doomed to the third level underground. Their customs mandate that the dead be kept in the home for three to five days before burial. They fear that some evil power might steal the body on the way to the burial place, so the funeral procession proceeds very rapidly -- some even run! If a person dies a violent death, burial must take place immediately. The Giay mourn their father for 90 days and their mother for 120 days. During the period of mourning, they do not shave or cut their hair. Just before the Lunar New Year festival, a ceremony to end the mourning is held, regardless of the date of death.

Christian Witness. Because of their isolation, the Giay in Vietnam have never heard a clear presentation of the claims of Jesus Christ. The are no strong Christian communities near them. They have been overlooked by local Christians, generally. Despite the few Giay Christians in China, Christian materials are not available. No Giay version of the Jesus film is available, and there are not even gospel recordings. No Giay Bible has been translated nor are there radio broadcasts.

This means that the Christian literature needs of the Giay have received little to no attention from the Christian community. They remain spiritually isolated.