Preserving the soul of Nghe An in the middle of the great forest

30 years ago, 73 households from the Western Nghe An region brought with them the will to build a new economy and set foot in the Thai village to start a business. In the new land, despite many difficulties, the Thai community here not only strived to develop the economy but also made efforts to preserve and promote the unique traditional cultural features of their people.

Mr. Vong Van Dong, a prestigious person in Thai village, firmly asserted: "Leaving the homeland for a new land, with only two empty hands, but must definitely carry the soul and identity of the homeland with us."

The offerings are carefully prepared to perform the new rice celebration ceremony of the Thai people in Ea Kiet commune.

Although far from home, people here still consider culture as the soul, the strongest bond that binds the community. From the bustling xoè (sap) dances, gong playing, folk games such as Nem Con (throwing con), thien mac le (stone fighting), thien mac xang (spinning tops), crossbow shooting to the unique culinary features with typical dishes: Smoked beef, pa pinh (grilled fish), khau lam (sticky rice), nhue mu khua (sticky rice)... all "contribute" in all community activities and daily life of the people.

Especially during the New Rice Festival, which is held regularly after the harvest season each year, the intangible cultural heritage of the Thai people is always fully and vividly recreated. From the solemn and bustling sound of Thai gongs; the graceful and soft xoè dance; the rhythmic bamboo dance, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, have become familiar images, attracting not only the villagers but also other ethnic groups to participate.

Folk games such as stick pushing are still maintained in the Festival section at the New Rice Festival of the Thai people in Ea Kiet commune.

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

If the ceremony is solemn, including rituals to celebrate the new rice, thank heaven and earth, grandparents, ancestors and pray for favorable weather, bountiful crops, then the festival is the place where community culture and culinary quintessence are crystallized. People prepare traditional dishes with rich flavors, drink rice wine, dance xoe, dance sap, play songs of their homeland, the village love and affection are even tighter.

Mr. Lo Van Dau, Head of Thai village, said: “The village currently has 211 households, with more than 920 people, of which the Thai ethnic group accounts for more than 95%. Although they have been away from their homeland for more than 30 years, the Thai ethnic group has always strived and united to preserve the spirit of national culture. The village still maintains art troupes and female gong troupes. During the day, women still increase their labor and production, but at night they gather together to practice dancing, singing, performing arts and sewing traditional costumes to preserve national identity.”

The survival of culture lies in transmission. In Thai villages, this effort is most clearly demonstrated through the transmission and creation of conditions for the younger generation to participate in cultural activities and festivals.

Mr. Vong Van Dong added: “No matter how big or small, every year, the villagers hold a festival to celebrate the new rice. We organize it not only to thank heaven and earth, pray for health and a bountiful harvest, but also to preserve the nation's cultural heritage, so that future generations can forever preserve the traditional customs of their people. It is you who will continue and take the Thai identity further.”

Locals and tourists join in the xoe dance, strengthening community solidarity at the New Rice Festival in Thai village, Ea Kiet commune.

Buon Thai has established and maintained effective activities of art troupes and gong teams with the participation of many ages, especially teenagers. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thang, 65 years old, a member of the village's female gong team, said: "The team regularly practices gongs, ancient dances, and folk songs. In addition, the team also cares about teaching dances and gongs to children, grandchildren, and the younger generation in the village. This is not only a cultural activity but also a place for children to learn and absorb traditional values from the elderly."

The young generation of the Thai village has been proving themselves to be worthy successors, actively participating in preserving the heritage. Kha Hang, 25 years old, a member of the Thai village youth art troupe, said: “When I was 10 years old, I followed my mother and grandmothers to join the adult art troupe. Up to now, I have memorized 7 bamboo dances fluently. These dances help us understand our roots better and feel more attached to and love our village and people.”

The Thai community in Ea Kiet commune has proven that, no matter where they are, traditional cultural values are still a solid foundation and a compass for people to build new villages and homelands that are rich, civilized, have identity and are imbued with solidarity.

“The Thai people in Ea Kiet still preserve and promote the unique and beautiful features in the culture, customs and cuisine of their ethnic group. 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 Thai people to preserve their culture, organize festivals according to customs and contribute to strengthening the solidarity between the communities of ethnic groups in the new homeland”,

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