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The Dao Family in Ta Phin

In the past, Dao people usually lived nomadically, but now most of them have permanent settlements. There are only 20 to 30 homes in each Dao village, but villages that include other tribes can have up to 50 or 60 homes.

The most common family structure amongst the Red Dao people is small patriarchal families. Each family includes a husband and wife, their children and grandparents, who are the parents of the husband. The husband is usually the key figure in both economic and social relationships and acts as the host when the family welcomes guests. The patriarchy can be seen in the family relationships, and in daily life the wife is expected to follow her husband’s word.

You can recognize the position of each individual in a Dao family by their surnames.