Preserving cultural beauty from simple things

In modern social life, Mong ethnic women in Than Uyen district still maintain the traditional craft of weaving.

Traveling through the highland villages from Ta Mung, Ta Hua, Khoen On to the plain communes such as Muong Than, Phuc Than, Muong Cang, during the off-season, we always see the images of Thai women wearing traditional costumes practicing dancing and singing with fans and scarves; Mong women diligently working on their weaving looms, embroidering patterns on brocade skirts or gently and meticulously carving each pattern with beeswax onto fabric.

To make brocade dresses, in their spare time, Mong women meticulously carve each pattern with beeswax onto the fabric.

Ms. Giang Thi Nang in Tu San village, Ta Mung commune shared: Every year, I take the time to sew myself a beautiful outfit to wear during Tet, to go to festivals; and also make shirts for my husband and children. Making a traditional dress of the Mong people takes a lot of time, sometimes it takes a whole year to finish, because of the many steps. From weaving, drawing patterns with beeswax on the fabric and then dyeing indigo; then hand-embroidering the patterns with colorful threads. Although it is hard work, my sisters and I in the village are very happy, because it is a beautiful cultural feature of the ethnic group that has been passed down by our grandmothers and mothers. At the age of 12 or 13, we were already proficient in embroidery and sewing.

The art troupe in the villages is maintained regularly by women and operates effectively to serve the holidays and Tet.

Not only through their hands, women also preserve culture through their voices, lullabies, and songs. Whether they are literate or not, they still teach their children and grandchildren their ethnic language; raise their children with traditional folk songs. On holidays and Tet, they sing Then songs; love songs with the melodious sounds of flutes and Khen. Every summer vacation, these women teach the younger generation and students many unique cultural values of their ethnic group; from folk games such as: To Ma Le, Tung Con, Dan Stick, Nhan Pao; brocade skirt embroidery to Then dances with Tinh lute, drum dance, and gong dance.

Mrs. Lo Thi Than - Cang Muong village, Muong Cang commune excitedly said: Nowadays, children have early access to computers, televisions, phones, learn new cultures but forget the original culture of the nation. Therefore, during the summer, I and members of the Then singing and Tinh lute club of the commune organize classes to teach the Thai ethnic culture to the children; teach them how to play the lute, dance, how to hold the bell, shake the bell to the rhythm... Seeing the children excited and learn very quickly, we are happy.

Khmu ethnic women participate in cultural performances at the Independence Day event on September 2.

Than Uyen district has 10 ethnic groups living in 12 communes and towns, mainly Thai, Kinh, Dao, Mong, Kho Mu... Together with all levels, sectors and localities in the area, women's union members of Than Uyen district have been actively "keeping the fire" and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups in the new period through practical activities, full of profound humanistic meaning. In addition to daily embroidery and singing activities, many women are now proactively combining cultural preservation with tourism development and family economy through the homestay resort model, opening restaurants with dishes imbued with traditional flavors to serve tourists. Thereby, both creating income, improving living standards and spreading cultural beauty to the community, domestic and international tourists.

In particular, on holidays, Lunar New Year, Independence Day on September 2, Than Uyen district women's union members enthusiastically participate in singing and dancing performances; demonstrations of traditional crafts (weaving, knitting); reenactment of traditional festivals of the Thai, Mong, and Kho Mu people; and cooking competitions. Every moment of these events is posted by the women on social networks such as Tiktok, Facebook, and Zalo to introduce the beauty of ethnic culture to the general public.

With her skillful hands, Than Uyen women spread the cultural beauty of the nation through the culinary competition with delicious traditional dishes.

Currently, the whole Than Uyen district has over 14,400 women members. Ms. Le Thi Hop - President of the Women's Union of Than Uyen district said: Every year, the union at all levels promotes propaganda and mobilizes cadres, members and women to actively preserve the national cultural identity associated with the emulation movements "Building Lai Chau women who are kind, confident, creative, and have a desire for development", "Building Vietnamese women of the new era". Up to now, 100% of villages and residential areas in the area have women's art troupes that regularly perform at festivals and events of the commune and district. In addition, the district Women's Union also regularly organizes competitions and cultural and artistic activities for members to participate in, thereby raising awareness and responsibility of each person in the work of preserving and promoting cultural beauty.

It can be seen that, from seemingly small things, women of Than Uyen district in particular and Lai Chau women in general are lighting up the cultural flame, contributing to building a solid wall in the work of preserving and promoting national cultural values in the period of international integration; so that Vietnamese culture is advanced and imbued with national identity.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/van-hoa/giu-gin-net-dep-van-hoa-tu-nhung-dieu-gian-di-1014249