Preserving the traditional embroidery of the Dao people

Ethnic Costume Embroidery Club in Tan Oc 2 village, Luong Minh commune.

Realizing the risk of the embroidery profession being lost when the young generation is no longer interested in traditional dresses, in recent years, the Women's Union of Luong Minh commune has campaigned to establish a Traditional Costume Embroidery Club in Tan Oc 2 village, gathering 20 members. Every month, the members gather at the village cultural house to talk, share experiences and teach the technique of embroidering patterns on dresses and shirts of the Dao Thanh Phan ethnic group.

The valuable thing is that the club not only has older members, but also attracts young Dao people to participate. Under the dedicated guidance of experienced women, the girls gradually learn how to distinguish colored threads, layout patterns, embroider properly and especially maintain the neatness and solemnity in each product. Through each stitch, needle, love for ethnic culture gradually grows in each member.

Not only in Tan Oc 2 village, the traditional Embroidery Club model has also been replicated in many other villages in Luong Minh commune. This is part of the program to preserve and promote the cultural identity of the Thanh Phan Dao people implemented by the Commune Women's Union. Along with embroidery activities are Dao Nom script classes, basket weaving classes for the coming-of-age ceremony, annual Nom script writing and embroidery competitions, etc., creating a vibrant and widespread cultural movement.

The traditional embroidery profession is passed down to the young generation of Luong Minh commune.

Since the model was implemented, the group embroidery clubs have become a useful playground for Dao women in the villages. Through each activity, the women have learned the craft and have been inspired with pride and responsibility to preserve the heritage of their ancestors. Many beautiful and elaborate ethnic costumes have been created by the skillful hands of the members and are worn during festivals and New Year's, contributing to livening up traditional rituals.

Ms. Trieu Thi Binh, Head of the Traditional Costume Embroidery Club of Tan Oc 2 village, shared: I have been embroidering since I was 14 years old. Now I embroider to preserve the tradition of the Dao ethnic group. Each costume of the Dao ethnic group is not just for wearing, but is a crystallization of culture, a pride of origin. Although modern life has many changes, I believe that as long as there is a hand holding the needle and thread, that beauty will not be lost.

Along with preserving the art of traditional costume embroidery, the movement to learn Dao Nom script has also had many positive changes, especially among the youth. Many children have learned to read and write Nom script and participate in community ritual activities, continuing the spiritual values left by their ancestors.

Luong Minh Commune is a mountainous locality with over 98% of the population being ethnic minorities. With its location in the community tourism development planning, the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural identity is considered a sustainable direction, creating a foundation for socio -economic development associated with heritage conservation.

Each traditional embroidery product is not only the result of meticulousness and ingenuity, but also the crystallization of intelligence, soul and national identity. The women of Luong Minh are diligently sewing each stitch every day, not only preserving an ancient profession, but also passing on the cultural flame to the next generation.

More than just preserving a craft, the traditional embroidery club model in Luong Minh is sending a strong message: Preserving culture is not a matter of the past, but a practical action today to build the future.

Hoai Minh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/gin-giu-net-theu-truyen-thong-cua-nguoi-dao-3369411.html