Preserving the soul of Nghe An homeland amidst the vast mountains.

For the past 30 years, the Thai community in Thai village (Ea Kiet commune) has been quietly creating and preserving a cultural space rich in their ethnic identity.

Thirty years ago, 73 households from western Nghe An province, armed with the determination to build a new economy , arrived in Thai village to establish their lives. In this new land, despite facing many difficulties, the Thai community here has not only developed economically but also strived to preserve and promote the unique traditional culture of their ethnic group.

Mr. Vong Van Dong, a respected figure in Thai village, firmly asserted: "Leaving our homeland for a new land with nothing but our bare hands, we must certainly carry with us the soul and identity of our homeland."

The ceremonial offerings are meticulously prepared for the ritual of celebrating the new rice harvest of the Thai people in Ea Kiet commune.

Despite being far from their homeland, the people here still consider culture to be the soul and the strongest bond connecting the community. From the lively Xoe dances and bamboo pole dances, gong performances, and folk games such as throwing the ball, stone fighting, spinning tops, and archery, to the distinctive cuisine with characteristic dishes like smoked beef, grilled fish, bamboo rice, and Nhứa Mù Khưa... all are present in every community activity and daily life of the people.

Especially during the annual New Rice Festival, held regularly after the harvest season, the intangible cultural heritage of the Thai people is always fully and vividly recreated. From the deep, resonant sound of Thai gongs and drums; the graceful and fluid Xoe dance; and the rhythmic, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, stilted bamboo dance, these have become familiar images, attracting not only the villagers but also people from other ethnic groups to participate.

Traditional folk games like stick pushing are still maintained in the festival section of the New Rice Festival of the Thai ethnic group in Ea Kiet commune.

For the Thai people in Ea Kiet, this is considered a major festival of the village, second only to the traditional Lunar New Year of the Vietnamese people. The festival is held solemnly to express gratitude to heaven and earth, and to ancestors for blessing a bountiful harvest, and to pray for favorable weather in the coming year.

While the ceremonial part is solemn, including rituals to celebrate the new rice harvest, give thanks to heaven and earth, ancestors, and pray for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest, the festive part is where community culture and culinary excellence converge. People prepare traditional dishes with rich flavors, drink rice wine together, perform traditional dances, sing folk songs, and strengthen community bonds.

Mr. Lo Van Dau, the village head of Thai village, said: “The village currently has 211 households with over 920 inhabitants, of which the Thai ethnic group accounts for more than 95%. Having been away from their homeland for over 30 years, the Thai people still strive and work together to preserve the essence of their ethnic culture. The village still maintains performing arts groups and women's gong ensembles. During the day, the women work in agricultural production, but in the evenings they gather together to practice singing and dancing, participate in cultural activities, and sew traditional costumes to preserve their ethnic identity.”

The survival of culture lies in its transmission. In Thai villages, this effort is most clearly demonstrated through teaching and facilitating the participation of the younger generation in cultural activities and festivals.

Mr. Vong Van Dong further shared: “Whether large or small, every year the villagers organize a festival to celebrate the new rice harvest. We organize it not only to thank heaven and earth, to pray for health and a bountiful harvest, but also as a way to preserve the cultural heritage of our people, so that future generations will forever preserve the ancient traditions of our ethnic group. It is the children who will continue and carry the Thai identity further.”

Locals and tourists alike joined in the traditional Xoe dance, fostering community solidarity at the New Rice Festival in Thai village, Ea Kiet commune.

The Thai village has established and effectively maintained performing arts and gong ensembles with the participation of people of all ages, especially teenagers. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thang, 65 years old, a member of the village's women's gong ensemble, said: “The team regularly practices gong pieces, traditional dances, and folk songs. Besides that, the team also focuses on teaching dances and gong pieces to children, grandchildren, and the younger generation in the village. This is not only a cultural activity but also a place for the children to learn and absorb traditional values ​​from the elders.”

The younger generation in the Thai ethnic minority community has proven itself to be a worthy successor, actively participating in preserving the heritage. Kha Hang, 25, a member of the Thai ethnic minority youth performing arts group, said: “Since I was 10 years old, I have been participating in the adult performing arts group with my mother and grandmothers. To date, I have mastered seven traditional bamboo pole dances. These dances help us understand our roots better and feel more connected to and loving towards our village and ethnic group.”

The Thai community in Ea Kiet commune has proven that, no matter where they are, traditional cultural values ​​remain a solid foundation and a guiding principle for them to build a prosperous, civilized, and distinctive new village and homeland, filled with strong bonds of solidarity.

“The Thai ethnic minority people in Ea Kiet still preserve and promote the unique and beautiful aspects of their culture, customs, and cuisine. The local government has determined that preserving ethnic identity always goes hand in hand with socio-economic development in the locality. We always create all conditions, encourage, and support the Thai ethnic minority people to preserve their culture, organize festivals according to tradition, and contribute to strengthening the solidarity among the ethnic communities in their new homeland.”

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202511/giu-hon-que-xu-nghe-giua-dai-ngan-e0804c8/