Dao Luong Thinh people preserve their identity

Today, Luong Thinh commune is wearing a new coat of prosperity and abundance, along with the traditional beauty preserved by the Dao ethnic people here as a treasure. In particular, in Vuc Tron and Khe Lua villages, Dao Nom script, prayers, and sacred rituals are still passed down through many generations.

Vuc Tron village has 93 households, of which 85 are Dao people wearing short pants. Coming here, it is easy to see images of old people weaving chicken cages, women in indigo shirts working quickly at the loom and children chattering in class learning Dao Nom script.

When it comes to preserving the culture here, we cannot fail to mention artisan Trieu Quy Tin - a "big tree" in preserving the language, writing, customs and practices of the Dao Quan Chet ethnic group.

In a simple but tidy stilt house, artisan Trieu Quy Tin carefully turns each page of an ancient book. The soft, curving Nom Dao characters appear like underground streams flowing in the heart of the mountain, quiet but full of life.

With bright eyes behind his white glasses, he told about his journey to preserve his nation's precious heritage: "In 2000, I had the chance to meet Mr. Ly Tien Tho in Khe Lua village. He is a living treasure of the Dao Quan Chet language and writing. I was very passionate about his teachings. Later, I also attended a Dao language training class at Hong Duc University ( Thanh Hoa ) to have more standard knowledge."

Pausing, Mr. Tin gently stroked his skinny hand across the page, his eyes distant yet warm. Thanks to that passion, he has become a “torch” lighting up knowledge and love for national culture for the young generation.

He opened a Nom Dao class at home, diligently teaching each letter, pronunciation, reading, and even how to perform traditional rituals.

Mr. Trieu Duc Ha - Mr. Tin's student shared: "Learning Nom Dao script and traditional rituals is not easy. Although I speak Dao fluently, learning the script and understanding the prayers requires perseverance and true passion. But thanks to Mr. Tin, I have felt the beauty and depth of my ethnic culture."

Not only teaching characters, artisan Trieu Quy Tin also copied and transcribed ancient books, including a set of 9-volume documents teaching Vietnamese Dao Nom characters, approved by the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee and widely circulated. Those pages not only recorded knowledge but also contained his enthusiasm and feelings about the longevity of Dao culture.

Not only artisan Trieu Quy Tin, in Khe Lua village, Luong Thinh commune, there is another "fire" burning brightly, that is artisan Trieu Tai Thang - an excellent student of Mr. Trieu Quy Tin. In the wooden house with the fragrant scent of incense, Mr. Thang flips through old records, ancient poems, and prayers written in Nom Dao script.

His voice was slow: “National culture is not only in the language, speech, eating habits, and dress, but also in the soul of rituals and customs. I consider learning and teaching these rituals a great responsibility.”

With the knowledge accumulated from the elders and his passion for research, Mr. Thang has become a "master" in important rituals such as: the coming of age ceremony, the tomb-thanksgiving ceremony, the ancestral worship ceremony, the jumping festival... He is trusted by the people in all important matters. In 2024, he was honored to be awarded the title of Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Artisan by the Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Bai Province (old).

Not only keeping it for himself, Mr. Thang also actively opened classes to teach Nom Dao script and teach rituals to the youth in the commune. On moonlit nights, by the fire of the stilt house, the elderly and the young learn the script together and listen to him tell old stories. The Dao language echoes in the night like the music of the mountains and forests, both simple and sacred.

Thanks to these persistent efforts, in Vuc Tron and Khe Lua villages, Dao language is not only used in daily communication but also resounds in village meetings and festivals. Dao Nom classes are still held regularly every year, each class has dozens of students from old to young. The material and spiritual life of the people here is increasingly improving.

Up to now, 100% of households in Vuc Tron have achieved the title of “Cultural Family”, with an average income per capita of 55 million VND/year; the village was recognized as a “Model New Rural Village” in 2023. Notably, in festivals, weddings, and funerals, the Dao Luong Thinh people have gradually eliminated bad customs. Instead, there is simplicity, solemnity, and still imbued with national identity. Traditional rituals are restored in a good and humane spirit.

Only when coming to Luong Thinh can one fully understand the saying: "As long as the nation remains, the culture remains; as long as the culture remains, the nation will last forever." Amidst the changes of the times, the flame of preserving national identity here still burns brightly.

Artisans Trieu Quy Tin, Trieu Tai Thang and the Dao people here are still collecting and lighting up the quintessence of their nation every day, passing it on to the younger generation. They not only preserve their language, writing, and rituals, but also their national pride and self-respect.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nguoi-dao-luong-thinh-giu-gin-ban-sac-post648913.html