Mai Chau strives to conserve traditional costume

10/11/2021 - 10:52:52 AM

(HBO) – In mountainous communes of Hang Kia and Pa Co of Mai Chau district, people of the Mong ethnic group often wear traditional costume.

Thai women in traditional clothes perform a folk dance at the Hoa Binh Culture – Tourism Festival held in Hanoi in 2021.

For men, the set comprises a shirt, a belt and pants mainly in the colour of black, while that of women has a head scarf, a blouse, a skirt, a belt, an apron-like cloth upfront, leggings and accessories.

Of note, the costumes are all hand-made by local women.

Travelling to villages of Thai ethnic group people offering community tourism in Mai Chau, such as Lac village in Chieng Chau commune; Van village in Pom Coong; Nhot and Na Phon in Na Phon; and Buoc in Xam Khoe, visitors will be charmed by the elegant beauty of Thai women in their traditional costume.

The costume is neat and skin-tight, which highlights women’s attractive curves. Meanwhile, men’s costume is simple and does not feature meticulous and colourful patterns.

President of the Women’s Union of Mai Chau Ha Minh Huan said that Thai is the largest ethnic group in the district. Over the years, ethnic people have exerted efforts in culture conservation and development, promoting traditional costume of Thai and Mong groups.

Since 2017, the union has rolled out a campaign to encourage local women wear such clothing more frequently, particularly female officials and members of the union.

In addition, agencies, sectors and organisations have stepped up communication work and dissemination of traditional culture in schools and offices, calling on ethnic people to wear traditional clothes.

Ha Thi Hoa, head of the culture-sports office of the district, said that alongside the campaign to wear traditional costume, cultural identity of ethnic groups in the localities are also upheld. The district has joined hands with localities to organise traditional festivals in line with promoting tourism, such as Gau Tao of Mong people and Xen Muong of Thai people.

A traditional market session in the mountainous region is held every Sunday at the district’s centre.

The activities help uphold national pride and turn traditional costume into an outstanding tourism product, contributing to realising a resolution of the People’s Council of the district on tourism development for 2016-20, with a vision to 2030.

Hoa Binh’s cultural heritage: Muong Gongs, a timeless cultural treasure

Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.

Preserving, promoting Muong cultural heritage: Upholding Muong culture into contemporary life

Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.

Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.

Preserving Muong community’s identity – Journey from tradition to modernity: Part 1 – Exploring Muong culture region

The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.

Traditional festivals of Hoa Binh: A rich cultural heritage

For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.

Muong calendar – National intangible cultural heritage

Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.