Preserving the traditional embroidery craft of Dao Khau ethnic group

(BLC) - To develop extensively and spread the practical meaning of the Project "Supporting women to start a business"; preserving traditional occupations, in 2022, the Women's Union of Sin Ho district coordinated with the Women's Union of Ta Phin commune to launch the Association for Cooperation and Linkage to preserve and promote the traditional embroidery craft of the Dao Khau ethnic group (abbreviated as the Association and Cooperation Group).

Dao Khau women in Ta Phin commune have very beautiful hand embroidery skills which are maintained and developed by the women. However, they mostly stop at sewing and embroidering clothes for family members.

Members of the Association, cooperating in embroidering traditional costumes.

Preserving unique cultural features; aiming to develop goods and services (products of pants, shirts, bags, scarves, traditional Ao Dai decorations) to create jobs and increase income for members, the District Women's Union propagates, mobilizes and establishes a group to link and cooperate to preserve and promote the traditional Dao Khau costume embroidery craft. Starting with 23 members, mainly in Tam Choong and Ta Phin villages.

Up to this point, the products have been initially introduced, promoted and sold at the central market of Sin Ho town as well as for tourists to visit and experience at the commune's tourist attractions. Notably, the number of participating members has increased to 33 women.

Affirming the initial effectiveness of the establishment of the Linking Group in the commune, Ms. Tan My Chai - President of the Women's Union of Ta Phin commune took us to the family of Ms. Cheo Dieu May in Tam Choong village - a familiar address where members of the group often gather to embroider traditional costumes.

It is known that in recent years, young women rarely stay at home, they all go to trade at the district market or in provinces and cities across the country. Therefore, most of the members of the Association and Cooperation Group are older women or women who are busy with family matters and cannot go far away to work. For the Dao people in general, and the Dao Khau ethnic group in Ta Phin in particular, from traditional costumes to jewelry are always considered assets and passed down through many generations. Because, it contains spiritual beliefs and unique cultural features.

The Dao Khau people believe that the value of heritage does not lie in the material or precious metal, but rather in the assets that are passed down, carrying many stories, many layers of users and the trust they have in them. Therefore, each elder in each family always reminds members, especially the younger generation, to preserve and maintain the identity of the nation. That is also the reason why, wherever they are and whatever they do, women are always aware that preserving traditional identity is very important.

Today, at Mrs. Cheo Dieu May's house, dozens of members of the Cooperative Group are embroidering costumes. According to Mrs. May, the traditional costumes of the people here are very different from those of other Dao ethnic groups in the region. The costumes of the Khau Dao people are divided into two types: regular clothes and formal clothes.

To make a women's costume, you have to use cotton and indigo fabric, embroider each part with patterns, then cut and sew them together to form a set. The patterns are very colorful with many rich motifs such as images of plants, flowers, birds or any objects that people feel close to in their daily life. The time to complete a women's costume is very long; even for a diligent and skillful person, it takes 6 months.

A traditional costume of the Dao Khau people in Ta Phin is meticulously and delicately made, clearly showing the national cultural identity. From generation to generation, people always remind each other to preserve and develop it.

A costume of the Dao Khau ethnic women is very elaborately embroidered, requiring skill and meticulousness.

That is why, as soon as the association and cooperation group was established, members and women in Tam Choong village in particular and the commune in general were very enthusiastic to participate. The group established operating regulations. At regular meetings, members shared, exchanged, and selected products and embroidery styles that suited customers' tastes. Assigned to business members the task of introducing, promoting, and linking product consumption.

Currently, the Association and Cooperation Group also has products for sale, display and introduction. To ensure sustainable development, the District Women's Union guides its members to diversify their handmade embroidery products; find outlets through calling for support in promotion and introduction from organizations at all levels inside and outside the district, and contacting stores selling and introducing typical products in the province.

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