(HBO) – Hoa Binh province is home to two Dao ethnic minority groups, namely Dao quan chet and Dao tien, who mainly live in Da Bac, Kim Boi, Cao Phong, Mai Chau, Ky Son and Luong Son districts, and Hoa Binh city.
Clothes
of the Dao groups are decorated with unique patterns on the background of
indigo colour, with a harmonious combination of accessories like scarves and
jewelries. Dao quan chet women boast a special dressing style as their trousers
are tightened to their legs.
Ban
Sinh Luong, a prestigious elderly in the Dao quan chet community in Dong Chua
hamlet, Thong Nhat commune, Hoa Binh city, said Dao people still wear their
traditional costume during the Tet festival, weddings and funerals.
Apart
from shirts and pants, Dao women also put on other accessories such as
brassieres, headscarves, silver necklaces and belts.
It
is noteworthy that Dao quan chet people do not practise weaving and they have
to buy fabric to make clothes. However, they weave belts themselves and embroider
them with colourful patterns. The art of fabric decoration has been preserved
among the community, and girls have to learn these skills from their mothers,
grandmothers, other family members and villagers at a fixed age.
Dao
quan chet women do not wear skirts but pants (Hau) that are made of indigo
fabric ending below knees and tightened to legs. Pant cuffs are decorated with
patterns and edges are stitched with colourful threads.
Of
note, Dao quan chet women wrap their calves with xa cap (chay keo) made of
white fabric clockwise.
Another
important accessory of Dao quan chet women is the scarf (called Coong pe song
in local language), made of three layers of black fabric whose ends are decorated
with floral patterns, eight-pointed stars and "Longevity” letter.
Unlike
women, Dao men’s costume is simple, comprising shirts (chang lui), trousers
(chang hau) and scarves (goong xong) of indigo or black colours.
To
preserve the traditional costume and culture, the provincial People’s Committee
has devised a project on building a centre protecting culture of the Dao quan
chet ethnic minority group in Thong Nhat commune in service of community-based
tourism. The project has also helped locals raise their income and living
standards./.
The 10th art festival for the armed forces, youths and students of Hoa Binh province celebrating the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and 35th anniversary of the All People’s Defence Day wrapped up on April 25.
Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.
The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.
Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.
If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.
Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.