Preserving national cultural identity in a new land.

In their journey to find a new life in the fertile red basalt soil of the Central Highlands, the Tay, Nung, Hmong, Dao, and other ethnic communities from several northern mountainous provinces who came to settle brought with them unique cultural values, creating a diverse and vibrant picture.

In their journey to find a new life in the fertile red basalt soil of the Central Highlands, the Tay, Nung, Hmong, and Dao ethnic communities from several northern mountainous provinces who came to settle brought with them unique cultural values, creating a diverse and vibrant picture. Alongside the pressures of economic development and integration into new life, preserving their cultural identity faces numerous challenges.

In Pơ Nang village, Kon Thụp commune, Mang Yang district, Gia Lai province, the way the people preserve the cultural ties of their ethnic group in their new land is by regularly organizing community cultural activities such as Then singing and Tinh playing.

Mr. Hoang Van Soan, Chairman of the Elderly Association of Po Nang village, shared: “We consider culture as our roots. Even far from our homeland, our people still try to preserve the customs, language, and songs passed down from our ancestors.” As a Tay ethnic minority, having settled in the Central Highlands for over 20 years, Mr. Soan has always strived to preserve cultural identity and encourage his people to maintain traditional festivals and ancestor worship according to old customs, while harmoniously integrating them with the local people's religious life.

In 2021, Mr. Soạn was determined to establish a Then singing and zither playing club and successfully recruited 30 people. The club's activities have become a bridge between generations, helping young people understand and be proud of their roots. This is also a vivid manifestation of sustainable integration, where unique identities are not faded but rather resonate within the multi-ethnic community of the Central Highlands.

"We have always considered this our second home. Our people have not only integrated but also actively contributed to the local socio-economic development. Importantly, no matter where we are, our ethnic culture remains an indispensable part of everyone's life," Mr. Hoang Van Soan affirmed.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Sy, Head of the Ethnic Affairs Department of Mang Yang District, Gia Lai Province, Po Nang village has 286 households with 1,294 inhabitants, of which 80 households are Tay and Nung ethnic minorities. Not everyone easily adapts to the new soil conditions, climate, and customs. However, with the Party and State's policies on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, the Tay and Nung ethnic minorities have gradually built stable lives and promoted their traditional cultural identity.

From preserving the unique flavors of their customs and traditions to diligently passing on traditional crafts, the Ba Na people have always shown great interest in and willingness to learn from each other's culture. However, according to ethnographers, their migration to new lands to establish themselves has been fraught with difficulties, requiring local authorities to not only implement sound policies but also to possess a deep understanding of the local culture and a humane, flexible approach.

The village of Lơ Pơ, in Chư Krêy commune, Kông Chro district, Gia Lai province, was formerly the ancestral village of the Ba Na people, with over 100 households living together, maintaining a lifestyle of slash-and-burn agriculture, respecting sacred forests, and possessing a system of village elders and customary laws. In 2009, a group of Dao ethnic people from Lang Son province moved here to live interspersed with the villagers, resulting in differences in rituals, daily life, and worship practices. The local government has paid close attention to this issue and has adopted flexible approaches to strengthen ethnic solidarity.

Mr. Dinh Chuong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Chu Krey commune, said: "To resolve conflicts in community life, we have to organize many community meetings and dialogues to share and explain customs to each other. From understanding comes compassion, and only then can we develop together."

But the most difficult challenge lies in preserving cultural identity amidst the increasingly rapid pace of integration. This situation is not unique to the Ba Na community; it also affects the Dao, Tay, and Nung ethnic groups, who face numerous challenges in preserving their identity. They must integrate into new communities while simultaneously striving to preserve their language, writing system, rituals, beliefs, and traditional crafts.

Faced with the risk of cultural decline, many communities have proactively sought ways to preserve their traditional culture in the new circumstances. In Lo Po village, the family of Mr. Trinh Sinh Thanh and several other Dao ethnic households have jointly organized weekend community gatherings where adults tell stories, teach their children to speak the Dao language, embroider, and learn traditional musical instruments.

"Most importantly, we must nurture pride and appreciation for the traditional values ​​of our nation in the younger generation. When our children and grandchildren learn to cherish their own language, clothing, music, and festivals, the culture will not disappear, but will live on in a new form, more suitable for modern life," Mr. Thanh shared.

Migrating to new lands to establish livelihoods has posed significant challenges for ethnic minority communities in preserving their cultural identity. In the Central Highlands, a region that has witnessed and continues to witness strong integration and adaptation, preserving cultural identity is not only about safeguarding the past, but also a foundation for sustainable community development and confident transition into the future.

Text and photos: Thu Hang

Source: https://nhandan.vn/gin-giu-ban-sac-van-hoa-dan-toc-noi-dat-moi-post887173.html