Unique Dao identity

The Dao ethnic group in Yen Lap district accounts for more than 5% of the district's total population, primarily the Dao Quan Chet group, who live in villages and hamlets in the communes of Xuan Thuy, Nga Hoang, Xuan An, Trung Son, My Lung, My Luong, Thuong Long, etc. The Dao people here possess a very diverse and rich cultural heritage, with their own language and writing system, unique rituals, and strong ethnic cultural identity, which have been preserved, protected, and passed down through generations.

The set of ancestral paintings and the ritual of hanging them are unique features that reflect the distinct cultural identity of the Dao people.

Preserving the "soul" of the Dao ethnic group.

For every ethnic group, language and writing are always considered the "soul" of their culture. Preserving their language and writing means preserving their cultural identity, and this is no exception for the Dao ethnic group. As someone knowledgeable about the culture and writing of the Dao people and one of the two people directly teaching the Dao Nôm script, Mr. Phùng Sinh Thịnh from Xuân Thủy commune shared: "Currently, the number of people who can read and write the Dao Nôm script fluently is very small. Therefore, I am very happy and proud to be chosen to teach my ethnic group's writing to my own people. I hope that more people will learn to read and write the Dao script, thereby contributing to the preservation and promotion of our traditional culture."

Not only in the localities where classes are being held this time, but also in the Dao Xuan Thang hamlet of My Lung commune, there are good ways to preserve the ethnic cultural identity. The head of Xuan Thang hamlet, Mr. Duong Kim Hung, said: “In our daily lives, we still use the Dao language. The elderly in the hamlet also teach the written language and customs to everyone in the area. During Tet (Lunar New Year), some families in the hamlet organize Tet Nhay (New Year's Dance) or the Coming-of-Age Ceremony when conditions permit, with the participation of everyone in the hamlet, together preserving the ethnic cultural identity.”

Mr. Phung Sinh Thinh (on the right), from Xuan Thuy commune, instructs students on writing Dao Nôm script.

Dao Nôm script classes provide an opportunity for artisans – the custodians of cultural heritage – to teach, exchange, and absorb the unique values ​​of their language and writing system along with Dao ethnic students. This contributes to raising awareness among the Dao people about preserving their distinctive cultural values, enriching their spiritual and cultural lives, and encouraging them to proactively protect and promote the precious heritage of their ancestors.

Pass it down to future generations.

The Dao people in Yen Lap now have two cultural heritages recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage: "The Coming-of-Age Ceremony of the Quan Chet Dao people, Xuan Thuy commune" and "The New Year's Dance of the Quan Chet Dao people, Nga Hoang commune".

To preserve and promote the valuable cultural heritage of the Dao ethnic group, Yen Lap district has effectively implemented the scientific research project "Documentation and restoration of some typical traditional cultural heritages of the Dao Quan Chet people in Yen Lap district"; Resolution No. 96-NQ/HU of the Standing Committee of the Yen Lap District Party Committee and Plan No. 1333/KH-UBND dated September 6, 2021 of the District People's Committee on preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic minorities in the district in the period 2021-2025, thereby contributing to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Dao ethnic group and other ethnic groups.

The establishment of Dao cultural preservation clubs is a practical activity that contributes to the research, collection, preservation, and teaching of the Dao language and script. This provides a solid foundation for maintaining and promoting the unique values ​​of the Dao people, such as: ancestor worship rituals, hanging ancestral portraits; the coming-of-age ceremony; the New Year's dance; wedding ceremonies; beeswax painting and embroidery on traditional clothing; the Bell dance, the Turtle dance, etc., while simultaneously preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of the ethnic group.

The Bell Dance and the Turtle Dance are deeply rooted in the culture of the Dao ethnic group.

Mr. Duong Kim Thuc from Xuan Thuy commune said: “This year, my family organized the Coming-of-Age Ceremony for me – the most important ritual for a Dao ethnic man. According to the beliefs of our Dao Quan Chet people, after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, a man is officially recognized by his ancestors and deities as an adult, having the right to participate in religious ceremonies and the qualifications to take on responsibilities before the clan and community.”

Throughout history, the Dao ethnic people across the country, and particularly in Yen Lap district, have created many unique and distinctive traditional cultural values, contributing to the richness and diversity of the ethnic cultures in the area. During their migration and settlement, the Dao people have always been conscious of nurturing and preserving the rich and distinctive cultural values ​​of their ethnic group to pass on to future generations, considering them "treasures" in their cultural and spiritual life that cannot be lost.

Phuong Thanh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/doc-dao-ban-sac-nguoi-dao-227065.htm