Preserving the beauty of traditional Khmer costumes

Along with art forms and festivals, traditional costumes for the Khmer people are the quintessence of culture, because they are not only closely associated with the life of production and cultural activities but also the pride of the village. Nowadays, the integration of modern culture, especially the trend of foreign culture, is posing many difficulties and challenges in preserving and promoting the beauty of traditional costumes of ethnic minorities, including the Khmer people.

FOREIGN WORSHIP IS ON THE RISE

Recently, students of a high school in Dong Nai province have caused a "storm" on the internet because of their yearbook photos in foreign costumes. In addition to the school environment, the trend of foreign clothing is becoming a trend among young people during their trips and recreational activities. Not long ago, photos of a group of Vietnamese tourists wearing traditional costumes from Tibet, Mongolia, Korea, etc. when checking in at domestic tourist destinations also received mixed opinions. This seems like nothing serious, but it is unintentionally fading the cultural identity of the Vietnamese people among a segment of young people.

For Khmer people, traditional costumes are often worn on important occasions such as festivals, weddings, etc. Not only is it a matter of dressing beautifully or keeping warm, Khmer costumes are also a harmonious combination of beliefs and religions, whether worn in everyday life or at festivals, they exude the beauty of modesty, solemnity and splendor.

However, wearing traditional costumes on festivals is becoming less and less common, replaced by a mix of foreign costumes due to the cultural "melting" of Khmer youth. During the 2024 flower offering festival at Xiem Can Pagoda (Vinh Trach Dong Commune, Bac Lieu City), many young people dressed in Dubai or Chinese costumes attending the ceremony created an offensive image in a festival rich in the cultural identity of the Khmer people.

SHT (Hamlet Giong Giua A, Vinh Trach Dong Commune) expressed: “Wearing foreign costumes is becoming a trend for many young Khmer people in daily life and festivals. This is truly a hidden danger that fades the love and pride of traditional culture, especially in the context of the strong influx of foreign culture like today.”

Khmer girls in traditional costumes perform. Photo: HT

SPREADING THE VALUE OF KHMER COSTUME

To preserve and promote the cultural beauty of the traditional costumes of the Khmer people, we must start from the next generation. If we want people to understand the value and love their national costumes, we must first do a good job of propaganda andeducation , and this work requires the cooperation of schools and the Youth Union of the residential area.

For example, over the years, the provincial Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities has regularly organized Khmer art programs, festival reenactments, and maintained the activities of the pentatonic band in the school. These activities require students to wear traditional costumes when participating in order to create a useful playground and remind and educate young people about pride in traditional culture.

Combining traditional costumes with tourism development is also a good solution to spread the unique value of Khmer culture to tourists. At some typical Khmer pagodas such as Xiem Can Pagoda, Cu Lao Pagoda, Cai Gia Chot Pagoda, etc., there should be a Khmer costume rental service for tourists to take photos. In addition, organizing costume sewing demonstrations combined with art performances to create attractive, unique tourism products, helping people increase their income and giving tourists interesting experiences.

Khmer costumes with their sophistication, splendor and religious and spiritual meanings are cultural symbols and pride of every Phum Soc people. Therefore, preserving and promoting the value of Khmer costumes requires more practical solutions, suitable for the times and especially educating today's generation to be aware that wearing traditional costumes is wearing cultural heritage.

Long life

Source: https://www.baobaclieu.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/gin-giu-net-dep-trang-phuc%E2%80%8B-truyen-thong-khmer-100630.html