(HBO) – Despite changes in their modern life, an increasing number of Muong ethnic women seek their ways back to their old days by wearing traditional dresses to celebrate lunar New Year (Tet) instead of modern outfits.
Muong Dong ethnic women in
Kim Boi district in traditional costumes prepare a tray of their signature
dishes.
In an interview with
reporters from the Hoa Binh Newspaper, Bui Thi Hao from Chanh hamlet in Vinh
Dong commune said with delight that in her village, elderlies wear Muong costumes
every day while younger women prefer Muong dresses for the occasions of
festivals, ceremonies, and weddings.
According to her, all
women in her village own at least one traditional dress and a silver chain belt,
passed down as a special keepsake among women in their families for
generations.
A traditional Muong dress
consists of a white shirt and long black skirt. The outfit, which is suitable
for different body sizes, keeps its wearer comfortable in the cool weather in spring
but is still elegant enough. Nowadays, the shirt has more colours than just
white due to local women’s preferences.
Life is changing. Muong
people’s stilt houses have been replaced with cement ones, and parts of their
language and traditions modified. However, their costume embodies a strong
power to survive and even thrive in the modern life./.
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."
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.
Great National Unity Day has been recently celebrated in Duong hamlet, Vay Nua commune, Da Bac district, in an atmosphere of warmth and community spirit. The event highlighted national identity and strengthened the bond of solidarity among residents.
On November 28, the People's Committee of Cao Phong district organized the Cultural and Sports Festival of Cao Phong district's ethnic groups in 2024.
