Bac Kan preserves and spreads national cultural identity

Reenacting the bowl dance at the opening ceremony of Bac Kan Province Culture - Tourism Week - 2025.

Culture – the vitality of the community

As a mountainous province with seven ethnic groups living together, Bac Kan possesses a diverse and rich cultural life. In particular, the treasure trove of intangible cultural heritage such as Then singing, Tinh lute, Bat dance, Then betel dance, Khen dance, Pao Dung singing, Sli, Luon..., are spiritual treasures preserved through many generations.

Realizing that value, Bac Kan province has continuously invested in preserving and spreading it. In recent years, classes teaching Then singing and Bat dancing - the traditional dances of the Tay people - have been held in many localities such as Cho Don, Na Ri, Ba Be... From being an activity associated with village festivals, Bat dancing has now entered the tourism space, becoming a unique cultural product attracting tourists.

At Ba Be Lake, the image of women in traditional costumes passionately dancing Bat by the firelight of a stilt house has left a deep impression on visitors. Ms. Hoang Thi Chuyen, Cho Ra town shared, “In the past, Bat dancing was just a joy in the village, but now it has become a source of pride. When I saw visitors taking pictures and applauding, I was very moved.”

In major events such as "Bac Kan Culture - Tourism Week" in 2024, more than 1,000 artisans performed collective Bat dance, creating a bustling atmosphere, strongly spreading the spirit of preserving national culture.

Performing bowl dance at Bac Kan Province Culture - Tourism Week 2024.

Preserving festivals and national costumes

Not only focusing on performing arts, Bac Kan also actively restores traditional festivals such as Xuan Duong Love Market (Na Ri), Ba Be Long Tong Festival, ATK Cho Don Spring Festival... This is a place where traditional cultural quintessence converges through agricultural rituals, antiphonal singing, folk games...

One of the bright spots is the movement of wearing traditional costumes during festivals and cultural events. Traditional costumes of the Tay, Red Dao, Tien Dao, Mong... are no longer souvenirs kept in the closet, but have returned to life, cherished and preserved by the younger generation as a way to express identity.

Ms. Ban Thi Ngan, Duc Van commune, Ngan Son district said: “I am always proud to wear the costumes of the Dao Tien ethnic group. Each embroidery and pattern tells the story of my ethnic group.”

Culture goes hand in hand with tourism

Not allowing culture to be confined to the village space, Bac Kan has many creative models linking cultural heritage with community tourism development. At places such as Ba Be Lake, Pac Ngoi, Ban Cam..., people organize Then, Luon performances, Then betel dance, combined with cultural experiences such as making wormwood cakes, bamboo rice, brocade weaving...

Ms. Phung Thi Tuyen, owner of Nang Ban restaurant in Bo Lu village (Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district) said: “I am very happy when many young people come to rent traditional costumes to wear on weddings, festivals or take souvenir photos. Seeing the national culture revived through each dress, I feel that my job is very meaningful.”

Bac Kan clearly identifies culture as one of the pillars of sustainable development. The establishment of the Tourism Development Steering Committee, the issuance of specialized resolutions on culture and tourism, etc., demonstrate a consistent determination to preserve and promote identity.

Comrade Dinh Quang Tuyen, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee affirmed: "We do not consider culture as something to be 'displayed in a glass cabinet', but must be lively and closely connected to the community. Bringing culture into tourism is a practical way for people to both earn income and preserve cultural values ​​in a natural and sustainable way."

In today's flow of innovation, Bac Kan is steadily walking with its national cultural baggage - where each Then tune, Bat dance, indigo shirt color..., is the thread connecting tradition with modernity, the foundation for integrating while still being imbued with identity./.

Magnolia

Source: https://baobackan.vn/bac-kan-gin-giu-va-lan-toa-ban-sac-van-hoa-dan-toc-post70534.html