Mong Suoi To people preserve cultural identity

From Phu Yen commune, following the winding steep road through the Noong Cop pine forest, we arrived at the highland commune of Suoi To, where the Mong people live on the mountain peaks covered in clouds all year round. In recent years, the people's lives have become increasingly prosperous, and traditional cultural values ​​are always respected and preserved by the Mong people.

Mr. Thao A Vang, Bac Be B village, Suoi To commune, teaches young people in the village how to play the panpipe.

We visited Mr. Thao A Vang, a famous panpipe craftsman in Bac Be B village. In more than 40 years of working in the profession, he has made more than 300 panpipes, mainly serving the Mong people in the commune and neighboring communes. He shared: Nowadays, smartphones are popular, so many traditional cultural values ​​are lost. Only a few young people know how to play a few simple melodies during festivals, and those who can play the right tune are rare, most of them are old. In addition to making, I also actively teach the craft of making and playing panpipes to relatives and young people in and outside the village who want to learn.

Thanks to Mr. Vang's guidance, in Bac Be B village, about 60% of young people now know how to play the flute and 6 people know how to make it; many people can perform, participate in local festivals and cultural performances, contributing to promoting the culture of the Mong people.

Traditional costumes are embroidered and sewn by the skillful hands of Mong women in Suoi To.

Continuing to Lung Khoai village, we visited the family of Mrs. Vang Thi Mai just as she was meticulously embroidering colorful Mong women's skirts. Mrs. Mai shared: Now I only embroider clothes for my family members and teach my children and grandchildren. Embroidery takes place all year round, taking advantage of the free time of the farming, lunch breaks or evenings. Each needle and thread not only creates daily clothes but also preserves the traditional culture of our people.

Not only Pac Be B, Lung Khoai, most of the Mong people in 11 villages of the commune are aware of preserving traditional cultural identity. The Mong people in Suoi To mainly belong to two groups: White Mong and Flower Mong, with many unique traditional cultural features still preserved, such as folk songs; brocade costumes with red and bright colors; skills in making panpipes, flutes, forging agricultural tools, embroidery, making traditional costumes; skills in making yeast wine, thang co; folk games of pushing sticks, tug of war, throwing pao, panpipe dancing...

People of Suoi To commune participate in pa pao throwing at the Mong ethnic cultural festival.

To preserve the traditional cultural identity of the Mong people, the Party Committee and the government of Suoi To commune have focused on disseminating the Party's directives and resolutions, the State's policies and laws on preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic groups. Promoting the role of prestigious people in disseminating and preserving identity. Including the work of preserving and promoting the Mong ethnic cultural heritage in the Commune Party Resolution. At the same time, directing 11/11 villages to establish an art troupe to regularly practice, participate in exchanges and performances to serve the local political tasks.

Rice cake pounding competition at Mong ethnic cultural festival in Suoi To commune.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam, Vice Chairman of Suoi To Commune People's Committee, said: To preserve and promote cultural identity and strengthen community solidarity, the commune has just successfully organized the Mong ethnic cultural festival to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day, September 2. The festival gathered nearly 100 athletes, mass actors from villages, commune officials and teachers in the area to participate. In colorful Mong costumes, everyone enthusiastically participated in folk games such as pounding rice cakes, pushing sticks, and throwing pa pao, creating a joyful and united atmosphere.

Stick pushing competition at Mong ethnic cultural festival.

Nowadays, the life of the Mong people in Suoi To commune has changed a lot, more materially prosperous. People also recognize the value of traditional cultural features and are determined to preserve them. Thanks to the attention and support of the local government, the Mong people here are taking advantage of available advantages to preserve and promote cultural identity, while educating the younger generation to appreciate, be proud of and continue the precious values ​​of their ancestors, so that this tradition will last forever in today's life and in the future.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/dong-bao-mong-suoi-to-giu-ban-sac-van-hoa-BkHLdtrHR.html