Lam Dong preserves the culture of ethnic minorities.

The effective preservation and promotion of cultural values ​​has contributed significantly to the achievements in socio -economic development as well as the richness and diversification of the spiritual life of ethnic minority people in Lam Dong province.

Preserving the sustainable cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands is a top priority in the strategy for preserving and promoting ethnic cultural values, in line with the spirit of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. This is considered an "endogenous resource and breakthrough driving force for socio-economic development and international integration," and is particularly significant for Lam Dong province, where some elements of ethnic minority cultural identity are at risk of disappearing due to cultural exchange and influx from outside in the context of globalization and international integration.

A musical performance by the Lam Dong Provincial Art Troupe at the Central Highlands Folk Arts and Traditional Costume Show, November 30, 2023. (Source: VNA)

The cultural diversity of ethnic minorities

Lam Dong is a mountainous province in the Southern Central Highlands, with a total population of approximately 1,250,000 people, comprising 43 ethnic groups with diverse historical origins. Of these, ethnic minorities account for about 298,000 people, or 24%. Based on their origins, the ethnic minorities in Lam Dong are divided into two groups, distributed across all 12 districts and cities in the province, mainly concentrated in remote areas. This creates a diverse community with varying levels of production, economic life, culture, customs, and traditions. The intermingling of these two ethnic minority communities provides a favorable environment for learning, cultural exchange, knowledge enhancement in all aspects, and mutual support for development.

The traditional cultural heritage of ethnic minorities in Lam Dong province is extremely rich and diverse, encompassing both tangible and intangible cultural values.

Regarding intangible cultural heritage, the ethnic minority communities in Lam Dong still preserve many unique cultural values, including gong culture, epics, stories, folk songs (Yal Yau), and folk dances. Particularly, the system of festivals remains quite rich, reflecting the diversity of polytheistic beliefs of the ethnic minority groups of the Central Highlands, such as: the New Rice Festival; the rice threshing ceremony; the naming ceremony for newborn children of the Ma people; the worship of agricultural deities; and especially, the water source worship ceremony, the most important spiritual festival of the K'Ho and Chu Ru ethnic groups.

Regarding tangible cultural heritage, statistics show that the province has 37 classified relics; including 2 special national relics, 20 national relics, 16 provincial relics; 14 scenic relics and 2 revolutionary historical relics. Among these, several traditional crafts are preserved and developed by ethnic minority communities, such as: mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing, pottery making, rice wine making, brocade weaving, and other traditional crafts such as basket weaving, silver ring casting, crossbow making, and gourd making…

However, in recent times, the negative impacts of the market economy, along with the rapid development of science, technology, and the Internet, have led to an increase in unhealthy influences from outside cultures, causing the indigenous cultures of ethnic minorities in Lam Dong province to show signs of decline and gradual disappearance. According to the Lam Dong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the indigenous ethnic minority communities still preserve some cultural heritage, especially folk festivals and traditional cultural festivals. However, some festivals with strong community structures have significantly declined and need to be revived to preserve and promote the unique indigenous cultural values.

Preserving cultural values

Over the years, Lam Dong province has implemented several protective measures to achieve the goal of ensuring the survival of heritage in an adaptable socio-cultural environment, mobilizing the participation of heritage-owning communities, and contributing to changing perceptions and promoting the voluntary preservation of traditional cultural values. Positive results should be acknowledged and encouraged; however, many tasks and solutions remain that relevant agencies and localities must continue to implement more actively and effectively.

Recognizing the importance and significance of preserving, promoting, and showcasing the cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities in the context of globalization, the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee has recently issued the Project "Preservation and Development of the Gong Culture Space of the Central Highlands Ethnic Groups in Lam Dong Province until 2020"; the Cultural Development Strategy until 2022; the Project "Preservation and Promotion of the Cultural Identity of Indigenous Ethnic Groups, Restoration and Development of Traditional Craft Villages Associated with Tourism Activities in Lam Dong Province in the period 2018-2022, with orientation to 2030"; and submitted a project to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for recognition of the "Chu Ru Ethnic Culture Village" (in Pro commune - Don Duong district), with an investment of over 7 billion VND for construction...

Through projects approved by the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has directed its affiliated units to strengthen activities focused on the grassroots level. This includes coordinating with local authorities and the Departments of Culture and Information to conduct surveys and assessments of the current state of management, preservation, and exploitation of cultural heritage sites and scenic spots for tourism purposes. This allows for timely rectification of situations where businesses managing and exploiting scenic spots for tourism lack investment and operate inefficiently; and prevents damage and degradation of some historical sites.

Implementing the Government's plan to support the restoration of traditional festivals of ethnic minorities, in recent years, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has invested in restoring 10 typical festivals of indigenous ethnic minorities that had faded away, such as: the Pơ Thi ceremony (of the Chu Ru and K'Ho people in Duc Trong district), the Nhô Wèr ceremony (of the K'Ho Srê group in Di Linh district), the Bok Chu-bur ceremony (of the Chu Ru people in Don Duong district), the rice offering ritual of the Ma people in Bao Lam; the Nhô Rơhe ceremony (bringing rice to the granary of the K'Ho people in Lam Ha district); the wedding ceremony of the K'Ho people in Lac Duong district…

Recreating a traditional K'ho Sre wedding ceremony with the participation of 60 local artisans and amateur actors - one of the activities in response to Lam Dong province's Golden Tourism Week 2023. (Source: VNA)

In mid-December 2022, as part of the project "Preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities, associated with tourism development," the Department of Culture, Arts and Tourism invested 20.64 billion VND to restore and preserve two traditional K'Ho villages in Lac Duong and Di Linh districts; the funding was sourced from the National Target Program on "Socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas in Lam Dong province, 2021-2025."

In addition, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has implemented many diverse activities to educate the awareness of ethnic minority communities in preserving and promoting their national cultural identity, especially among the younger generation. Every year, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organizes the Provincial Gong Culture Festival (now the "Cultural and Sports Festival of Ethnic Minority Communities") . At the festival, the Provincial People's Committee awarded the title of Artisan to individuals who have made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of ethnic minorities; and submitted dossiers to the State for the conferment of this prestigious title. To date, Lam Dong has 59 provincial-level artisans recognized by the province; and 15 outstanding artisans have been awarded the title by the President of Vietnam.

Over the years, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also focused on organizing gong-playing training classes in communes and districts with large K'Ho, Ma, and Chu RU ethnic minority populations. To date, more than 100 gong-playing classes have been organized, attracting nearly 2,000 young men and women from ethnic minority groups. Currently, the province has more than 100 gong-playing groups, and 5 newly established groups to serve tourism in the districts of Lac Duong, Duc Trong, Di Linh, Da Huoai, and Don Duong. The province maintains 16 effective gong-playing groups that regularly perform for tourists at tourist attractions in Lac Duong, Da Lat, Duc Trong, Da Huoai, etc., and has provided 30 sets of gongs and 120 sets of traditional ethnic minority costumes to gong-playing groups in the districts. In particular, Da Huoai district has also allocated budget to purchase and provide cultural activities equipment and 9 sets of gongs and drums for 9 ethnic minority residential areas… to perform at tourist attractions and festivals.

The effective preservation and promotion of cultural values ​​has significantly contributed to achievements in socio-economic development, as well as the richness and diversification of the spiritual life of ethnic minority communities in the province, contributing to the overall development of the locality. From this, the self-governance, sense of origin, and community solidarity in the villages and hamlets of ethnic minorities in Lam Dong province are maintained and promoted.

With the attention, guidance, and investment in preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities, it is believed that the culture of indigenous ethnic minorities in Lam Dong will be restored and strongly developed in the coming years.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/lam-dong-giu-gin-van-hoa-dan-toc-thieu-so-253769.html