Lao Chai, bringing traditional culture into schools

Lao Chai highland commune has 99% of the population being Mong people, in the modern life today, many traditional cultural beauties are being lost and are in danger of disappearing. Faced with this situation, the education sector, local authorities and Lao Chai people have joined hands to bring traditional culture to students through lessons.

Extracurricular lessons on the grounds of Lao Chai Primary Boarding School are more attractive because of the sound of Mong flutes and the flute dances of teachers and students in traditional costumes. These are considered “special” lessons – where traditional culture is passed down from generation to generation.

Teacher Lo A So is a local, lives in Trong Khua village, has been attached to Lao Chai Primary Boarding School for nearly 14 years, and said, based on the traditional cultural beauty of the nation, we choose each content to include in extracurricular lessons, helping students understand and love their ethnic culture.

Teacher Lo A So teaches students how to play the Mong flute.

“As a local teacher, I find it very necessary to convey ethnic culture to students,” Mr. So shared.

In addition to teaching the Khen, the school also includes scarf dancing and Khen dancing in the mid-break physical education classes. Initially, only a few students participated, but now, nearly 100% of students are enthusiastic about practicing. Many students have become key members of local cultural events, participating in art troupes performing scarf dancing, Khen dancing and Khen playing at village festivals.

Scarf dance, panpipe dance in physical education activities during break time.

In Lao Chai commune, there are 5 schools from kindergarten to secondary school. The schools are gradually becoming “living museums” preserving the quintessence of national culture.

At Lao Chai Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, to preserve the traditional cultural values of the Mong ethnic group, in addition to extracurricular activities, the school also organizes a panpipe and stick-pushing dance club.

The clubs have attracted a large number of students to participate, not only becoming a useful playground after stressful school hours, but also a channel to convey traditional cultural knowledge to them.

Giang A Nam, an 8C student at Lao Chai Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, said: "The teachers taught us about the traditional culture of the Mong people, which helped us understand and love our ethnic culture more."

Along with teaching scarf dancing and panpipe dancing, the school also requires wearing traditional costumes during flag-salute ceremonies and other activities.

Teacher Nguyen Anh Doanh - Vice Principal of Lao Chai Commune Boarding Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities shared: "Students are an important force to preserve and promote the cultural values of the Mong people here."

Stick pushing is a traditional sport of the Mong people that is taught in schools.

When the art of Mong panpipes and the art of using beeswax to create patterns on fabric of the Mong people were recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage, along with the development of tourism , the teaching of subjects on Mong panpipes, scarf dancing, and uniform embroidery has received attention from schools in the mountainous commune of Lao Chai.

Preserving culture in highland schools is not only about preserving the old, but also about breathing in the breath of the new era. Teachers at highland schools in Lao Chai now know how to use social networks, propaganda videos, and dramatization to teach national culture; students proudly perform folk songs, dances, and traditional costumes to promote the identity of their homeland.

Teachers teach and impart Mong flute knowledge to students.

Mr. Do Cong Chung - Vice Chairman of Lao Chai Commune People's Committee said: "Through cultural preservation activities, Lao Chai has promoted tourism, developed socio-economy, and improved the material and spiritual life of the people."

From the panpipe and dance lessons in the schoolyard, to local festivals, Lao Chai students have confidently participated in performing traditional cultural performances, thereby gradually forming a sense of preserving and promoting national identity. Preserving the spirit of culture is not only the task of the education sector, but also the common responsibility of the whole society - so that each highland school is not only a place to sow knowledge, but also a place to sow the seeds of culture, nurturing the Vietnamese soul for future generations.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lao-chai-dua-van-hoa-truyen-thong-vao-cac-nha-truong-post884785.html