Dao ethnic group in Hoa Binh’s commune preserves cultural identity

2/1/2019 - 3:54:59 PM

(HBO) – Dao ethnic people in Toan Son commune, Da Bac district, Hoa Binh province, make up 43.3 percent of the commune’s total population. Their unique spiritual and cultural values are vividly illustrated in the housing architecture, customs, costumes, festivals, folk songs, and traditional dances.

Dao people in Toan Son commune mainly live in Phu, Ranh, and Cha hamlets. One of their most special traditional cultures is "cap sac” (maturity ritual) ceremony, which is considered an indispensable ritual for ethnic men because only when they are declared the coming of age, they have right to involve in the village’s work. Boys from ten years above could pass this ritual. The most valuable thing in this ritual is teaching. The sharman will have teachings to the matured men so that they will not do evil and have to respect their parents. The teachings are done by vows under the witness of gods, heaven and earth, ancestors and before all people in the family.

Mr. Dang Tien Dung from Cha hamlet, Toan Son commune (Da Bac), prepares musical instrument for Tet Nhay (dancing festival).

Dao people always attach great important to ancestor worshipping and Tet Nhay (dancing festival) is a special ritual.

Every day, Dao people from Toan Son commune wear traditional costumes including a shirt, pants, belt, silver jewelry and a headscarf. Women’s shirts are usually knee-length. With the skillful hands and diligence, Dao ethnic women create colourful costumes.

Women weave and dye fabrics, then skillfully embroider and decorate patterns which are close to the nature and represent their wish of a prosperous life.

Besides, Dao ethnic people are always aware of preserving their scripts through teaching young generations. From 2016 to present, Toan Son commune has opened three Dao language teaching classes. Traditional dances of Dao ethnic people are performed in public in the district’s events./.

3.6 Billion VND Allocated to Preserve Traditional Cultural Values of Ethnic Minorities in Lạc Sơn District

As part of Project 6 under the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2024, Lạc Sơn District, Hoa Binh province focuses on diverse and practical activities to promote the project's goal: "Preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional cultural values of ethnic groups in conjunction with tourism development."

Mobilizing the power to preserve and promote the cultural heritage values

After 3 years of implementing Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU, dated October 11, 2021 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values of Hoa Binh province's ethnic groups in the period of 2021 – 2025 with the orientation to 2030 (NQ04), it has mobilized the participation of the entire political system, the people from all walks of life and there have been positive changes. So far, out of the 10 targets of NQ04, 3 targets have been met and exceeded the plan set for 2025. Typically, 70% of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of ethnic groups in the province is on the list of the national ICH items and they have been protected and restored, exceeding 20% of the proposed Resolution.