A desire for continuity is the basic drive of the Ha Nhi.  They see themselves as one of a long chain of ancestors.  This is the reason for memorizing the genealogies, and is a major part of their self-identification as a people.

A polytheistic religion holds the hearts and minds of the Ha Nhi captive.  They do have a belief in a Creator God, and a tradition that they once had a book from Him.  These beliefs are quite compatible with the good news of Christianity.  But they also worship or try to placate a host of other deities, spirits  and subgods.  They also practice ancestor worship, and hold animistic beliefs.

They have a legend that a lesser deity named Abo-Momi sent a buffalo to teach man that grass and trees must be planted to allow crops to grow in open places.  This would allow people to eat every second day.  But the buffalo was confused and told people that they must plant crops and let grass and trees grow everywhere else.  He told them that if they did this, they would eat twice a day.  But when the people obeyed the buffalo, their lives did not improve.  So Abo-Momi sent the buffalo back to earth to labor for the people and help them grow food.

They also have many deep-seated fears inherent in their beliefs.  They are careful to avoid offense to the Creator, Apoe Miyeh, who could send them misfortune.  They greatly fear the evil spirits, who beset them on all sides.  They sometimes erect spirit gates between their villages and the jungle, the home of the spirits, so as to keep out evil spirits and demonic creatures of the night.  Fear of the spirit world is a pervasive part of daily life.