The Dao ethnic identity in Khe Mon

Every day, the elderly members of Khe Mon village, Thai Hoa commune, Tuyen Quang province, wear traditional clothing, speak their ethnic language, practice singing and dancing, and preserve the embroidery craft... this is how they maintain the cultural identity of the White-Pants Dao ethnic group in their locality.

The women in the village still preserve the craft of embroidery and making traditional clothing.

Mr. Trieu Quoc Viet, Head of Khe Mon village, happily stated that the village has 105 households, almost 100% of which are White Dao people. Therefore, the Dao ethnic identity is always preserved and promoted by the villagers, especially by the elderly. The mothers and grandmothers always serve as role models, guiding and encouraging their children and grandchildren to together preserve the unique cultural characteristics of their ethnic group.

Ms. Truong Nac, Deputy Head of the Village Elderly Association's performing arts team, shared that the team has 8 core members who love performing arts and are dedicated to ethnic culture. Every evening, the team members practice dancing and singing. In addition to Pao Dung singing and traditional dances of the Dao people, the members also practice some modern performances praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the country's renewal, and regularly exchange with performing arts teams and clubs in other villages in the commune and localities in the province.

The bib is embroidered with many unique patterns.

While meticulously embroidering a bodice, an indispensable part of the traditional attire of Dao women, Ms. Hoang Thi Vui said: “In the past, we were taught embroidery by our grandmothers and mothers from a young age. By the age of 14 or 15, I was already proficient in embroidery and prepared the most beautiful outfit for myself on my wedding day.” A complete outfit includes: a bodice, a long dress, a headscarf, a belt, a necklace, and trousers… Against the black background of the long dress and headscarf, the embroidered patterns in white, red, and yellow create a striking effect for the outfit.

Besides that, silver rings and chains are indispensable, adding a touch of elegance to the outfit. Later, she embroidered and made clothes for her children. Now elderly and needing glasses to see clearly, she still finds time to embroider clothes for herself. In addition, she accepts orders from customers to earn extra income.

The intricately embroidered necklace is a unique and striking feature of the Dao woman's traditional attire.

Ms. Dang Thi Sen, Head of the Women's Association in the village, said that many young people are now hesitant to wear traditional clothing. Therefore, the Women's Association has been promoting and encouraging members to wear ethnic costumes on holidays, Tet (Lunar New Year), and on important occasions such as congresses, conferences, and festivals. At the same time, they are preserving the language by teaching their children and grandchildren to speak their ethnic language when communicating at home, so that the children can learn the common language while still being fluent in their ethnic language. Only in this way can the younger generation understand the beautiful customs and traditions of their ethnic group and work together to preserve them, preventing them from fading away over time.

In particular, on this occasion, in preparation for the Mid-Autumn Festival, members of the village's performing arts team and the Elderly Association, dressed in traditional Dao ethnic costumes, actively participated in local Mid-Autumn Festival activities, parading through the streets of the central communes and wards. This created a positive impression on locals and tourists about the land and people of Tuyen Quang, rich in ethnic identity.

On every holiday, festival, or cultural exchange occasion, members of the village's performing arts team and the Elderly Association help each other prepare traditional Dao ethnic costumes to participate.

In Khe Mon today, the lives of the people have improved, with many economic models bringing high incomes. But some things remain: the traditional stilt houses, the Dao women in their traditional costumes, the songs and dances of the grandmothers and mothers… Everyone is still working together to build a new way of life, while not forgetting to preserve and promote the ethnic cultural identity in their daily lives.

Huyen Linh

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/du-lich/202509/ban-sac-nguoi-dao-o-khe-mon-dbd2f73/