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| The Pu Péo girls are graceful and radiant in their traditional costumes. |
In Chúng Trải, amidst the gray rocky valley, traditional houses with earthen walls lean against the mountains. On the verandas, Pu Péo women still quietly sit sewing and embroidering traditional clothing. For them, it's not just a daily task, but also a tradition passed down from their ancestors.
Mr. Xuan took us to the home of Mrs. Trang Phang Lan, a woman who has spent almost her entire life working with needles, threads, and the traditional clothing of her ethnic group. When we first met, she was shy, speaking softly and smiling gently. But as soon as the topic of traditional clothing came up, she spoke more. Still holding the fabric in her hands, she slowly recounted stories of the past.
She said that back then, the Pu Péo people were very poor. Having a decent outfit wasn't easy. They saved every usable piece of fabric. Even small, seemingly discarded scraps of colored cloth were carefully gathered and pieced together to create patterns on their clothes. From these meager resources, the people of the past still managed to create traditional Pu Péo clothing. It wasn't elaborate or ostentatious, but it was instantly recognizable.
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| Ms. Trang Phang Lan tells stories about the traditional clothing of the Pu Peo people. |
The traditional clothing of Pu Péo women is not as ornate as that of some other ethnic groups. The most striking feature is the triangular patches of blue, red, white, and yellow fabric sewn together on the chest and along the body of the dress. Against a dark indigo background, these patches of color appear both discreet and eye-catching. To complete a single dress, a woman must cut small pieces of fabric, layer them together, and then hand-sew them over many months. Therefore, the value of the outfit lies not only in the fabric but also in the labor, skill, and patience of the seamstress.
Along with the blouse is the headscarf – an indispensable part of the Pu Péo women's attire. To have a neat and beautiful headscarf, the women must prepare very carefully. The wooden comb in their hair looks simple, but when paired with the blouse and skirt, it creates the unique appearance of the women here.
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| Pu Péo women are very meticulous in the way they wrap their headscarves. |
For the Pu Péo people, this traditional attire is not only worn on ordinary days or special occasions. It is also associated with ancestor worship. On holidays and festivals, women must wear traditional clothing before entering the kitchen to cook rice for offerings. The elders in the village still believe that without those familiar patterns, their ancestors would have difficulty recognizing their descendants. Therefore, the patterns on the clothing are not only for beautification but also to remind them of their family traditions and origins.
Perhaps that is why the Pu Péo people in Chúng Trải have preserved their traditional clothing to this day. Through each piece of fabric, each stitch, they retain the traditions of their ancestors. And from that, the saying "the patterns on the clothes are for the eye to remember" still holds true in today's life.
Text and photos: Canh Truc
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/du-lich/202604/hoa-van-tren-ao-la-de-mat-nho-e213eed/
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