Preserving the spirit of Dao Tien through every needle and thread

Coming to Hoai Khao, the image of Dao Tien women in traditional costumes is still commonly present in daily life. When people are no longer busy with the harvest season, visitors can easily see old women and girls sitting meticulously embroidering on the roadside in the village, on the porch or next to the stone slab. Those simple scenes, imbued with national identity, are hard to forget for anyone who has witnessed them. At the village cultural house, the embroidery classroom space is lit up by colorful brocade fabrics. On the wooden table, each piece of fabric is displayed with sophisticated patterns, interwoven with deep indigo, bright red and bright yellow. The sound of the loom blends with the laughter of the women in the village - from young girls to grandmothers and mothers with silver hair, creating a vivid picture, full of life.

Leading the embroidery class is artisan Trieu Thi Boi, who has been involved in embroidery for more than half a century. Her hands are nimble, patiently guiding students on how to choose fabric, combine colors and embroider patterns. For her, each pattern is a story, containing the philosophy of life and the soul of the Dao Tien people. “I hope to impart traditional embroidery, weaving and sewing skills to people, especially young people, to preserve the national cultural identity and create more job opportunities and increase income,” Ms. Boi shared.

Artisan Trieu Thi Boi teaches the technique of embroidering traditional patterns to the younger generation.

Ms. Trieu Thi Tuyet, one of the youngest students, shared: I want to make beautiful embroidery products with my own hands, both to preserve tradition and to earn extra income for my family. The teachers are very enthusiastic and easy to understand. I have learned how to choose fabric, mix colors and create patterns.

Ms. Trieu Thi Lan, a middle-aged woman in the village, confided about her journey with embroidery: I learned embroidery from my mother when I was young, but it was only after this class that I understood more deeply the meaning of each pattern. Embroidery is not just a job, but a way for me to feel connected to my ancestors and to the national culture. I want my children to know and love the profession like me. Ms. Lan's sharing not only shows her love for the profession but also her desire to pass on the flame of culture to the next generation. In particular, the class also introduces the technique of printing and drawing patterns with beeswax - a unique feature of the Dao Tien people, requiring patience and a deep understanding of traditional culture.

Dao Tien costumes are a delicate combination of many manual techniques: beeswax printing, hand embroidery, and fabric patchwork. The fabric is woven from cotton or linen, durable, cool, and suitable for the mountainous climate. The square, triangle, plant, animal patterns... reflect the unique worldview and philosophy of the Dao people. The dark indigo color as the background, dotted with bright red and bright yellow, creates a strong beauty that is no less sophisticated and luxurious. Not only limited to everyday clothes or wedding costumes, embroidered products also extend to headscarves, cloth bags, and decorative embroidered panels. In the context of the locality developing community tourism, traditional embroidery opens up a new direction for the local economy . Brocades and Dao Tien costumes are not only cultural products but also have the potential to become tourism products, contributing to creating sustainable livelihoods for the people.

The image of Dao Tien women diligently working on their looms in Hoai Khao is a vivid testament to the vitality of traditional culture. In each needle and thread, they convey not only their ingenuity but also their national pride and hope for a future where cultural identity is respected. The embroidery class in Hoai Khao is not only a place to pass on the craft but also a bridge between generations, between the past and the present. Dao Tien culture, through each pattern on brocade, is still being woven every day - sparkling and strong like the love of the people here for their homeland and roots. In the modern pace of life, these special "classes" are an affirmation that culture is never still, but is a continuous flow, only needs to be nurtured with love and perseverance, will forever shine over time.

Xuan Truong

Source: https://baocaobang.vn/giu-gin-hon-sac-dao-tien-qua-tung-duong-kim-mui-chi-3181162.html