Choose brocade for your big day.

Instead of the modern wedding dresses commonly seen, more and more young Van Kieu and Pa Ko people are choosing traditional brocade costumes for their weddings. This positive sign contributes to increasing faith and hope in the revival and development of a traditional craft that has been preserved and passed down by the highland people for generations.

Ms. Truong Thi Ngoc Nhi and her husband chose traditional brocade attire for their big day - Photo: Provided by the couple.

Reviving a cultural tradition

Recently, many wedding photos of Van Kieu and Pa Ko brides and grooms in traditional brocade costumes have appeared on social media. Viewing the photos, almost everyone is amazed and delighted. Among them, the elderly are perhaps the most emotional. They recall the "golden age" of brocade. Back then, no matter how difficult the circumstances, the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people would prepare at least one brocade outfit for themselves. At weddings, the brocade shirt, skirt, and headscarf were indispensable dowry items. Thanks to the brocade costumes, the wedding scene became more joyful and deeply traditional.

However, there was a period when many young Van Kieu and Pa Ko people chose modern, eye-catching dresses and outfits for their weddings. Some couples even traveled to the lowlands to choose wedding attire they had seen in foreign films. Thus, modern clothing appeared more and more frequently in the weddings of the highland people, overshadowing traditional brocade dresses. This is something that has caused those who deeply care about the traditional culture of the ethnic groups to ponder.

In this context, the fact that some young people from the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic groups cherish and preserve traditional wedding attire is heartening. Regarding her reason for choosing brocade for her big day, bride Truong Thi Ngoc Nhi, residing in Vinh O commune, Vinh Linh district, said it was a childhood dream. Nhi was born and raised in Dakrong district. From a young age, her grandparents and parents helped her understand the meaning of traditional clothing. Therefore, every time she wears a brocade dress, Nhi feels delighted and proud. That's why traditional attire is associated with Nhi in almost all important events. Her wedding day was no exception. “Elaborate and beautiful brocade outfits are usually quite expensive. But I still saved up to buy one for my wedding day. I feel most beautiful when wearing this outfit,” Nhi shared.

Like Ngoc Nhi, bride Ho Thi Tuoi, residing in Huong Hiep commune, Dakrong district, was delighted that her wedding photos, showcasing the unique cultural identity of the Van Kieu ethnic group, with her and her husband as the main characters, garnered so much attention. To achieve the perfect wedding photos, Tuoi and her husband discussed everything thoroughly with the wedding dress shop owner and the photographer. They both hoped that the photos would showcase the beauty of their ethnic culture. They hoped that through these photos, people, especially young people, would grow to love and be proud of the distinctive features of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic groups. Tuoi shared: “After I posted the album on social media, many people contacted me, asking for the photo studio, renting, and buying traditional costumes… Everyone wanted a wedding photo album that reflected their ethnic identity like mine. That made me very happy.”

Silent contribution

The return of traditional brocade costumes to weddings is vivid evidence of the changing perceptions of many young Van Kieu and Pa Ko people. Amidst modern life, they still deeply understand the value of traditional beauty. Furthermore, they are clearly aware of their role and position. This is the result of self-awareness and inspiration and education from their elders...

Besides the reasons mentioned above, young people from the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic groups choose brocade for their big day thanks to another special impetus. In Krong Klang town, Dakrong district, Thuy's wedding dress shop has become a destination for many young people who love brocade costumes and traditional wedding photos. Ms. Phan Thi Thuy, the shop owner, said she has been providing wedding services for 12 years.

During that time, Thuy always sought to create a unique touch in the weddings of the brides and grooms who entrusted their faith in her. "As a Kinh person born and raised in the mountainous district of Dakrong, I see that the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people have many beautiful cultural traditions, most clearly evident in their wedding ceremonies."

"I've attended many local weddings and I'm really captivated by the traditional brocade costumes. I think that if they are carefully crafted, these outfits are very sophisticated, beautiful, and look truly impressive in photos. Therefore, I often advise brides and grooms to choose these outfits for their special day," Thuy said.

To convince her clients, Thuy went to great lengths to order and rent elaborate brocade costumes. Not stopping there, she also designed and commissioned the weaving and tailoring of brocade wedding dresses in a stylized way, combining tradition with modernity. Along with the costumes, she also conceived and created suitable settings for the album and wedding reception. Thuy shared: “Doing these things takes more time and effort. But I don't mind. I'm happy to contribute to preserving the traditional beauty of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people.”

Recognizing the significance of Thuy's approach, several wedding photography studios have now adopted this model. This gives young people from the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic groups more choices for their weddings. Beyond simply using traditional brocade costumes, some young couples and their families are proactively incorporating other beautiful traditional aspects of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko people into their special day. As a result, weddings in these highland regions become even more meaningful and vibrant.

Tay Long

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/chon-tho-cam-cho-ngay-trong-dai-192715.htm