Preserver of Tay Khao culture

As a native of Dong Cuong, for many years, Ms. Ha Thi Dung has been dedicated to collecting and researching Tay Khao culture, contributing to the preservation, conservation, and promotion of traditional ethnic cultural values.

Born and raised in Dong Cuong commune, where the Tay Khao community has lived for generations, Ha Thi Dung's childhood was filled with the sweet lullabies of her grandmother and mother, the singing of Then songs, and the dances that embody the unique cultural identity of the ethnic group.

Ms. Ha Thi Dung.

Those familiar sounds and images soon awakened in her a deep love for the traditional culture of her homeland; motivating her to dedicate herself wholeheartedly to preserving and teaching the cultural values ​​of the Tay Khao people, hoping that this beauty will be continued and spread to future generations.

Xòe Then is a unique folk art form of the Tay Khao people, passed down from generation to generation. During festivals, weddings, and spiritual ceremonies, Xòe Then has become a bridge connecting the community, conveying the traditional cultural values ​​of the Tay people, attracting not only the attention of local people but also tourists from near and far.

At the annual Dong Cuong Temple Festival, the Then dance is an indispensable part of the spiritual rituals. Ms. Dung has dedicated much time to practicing and performing the Then dance at the festival. After many years of involvement with traditional culture, Ms. Dung realized that if the Tay Khao culture is not "passed on" and preserved, it is very easy for it to fade away. This motivated her and the members to establish the Tay Khao Culture Club - a place for activities and preservation of ethnic culture.

Ms. Dung performs the Then dance at the Dong Cuong Temple Festival.

So, after days of hard work and farming, when the fields are ready, the club members gather together to sing and dance the folk songs and dances of their homeland. Now, in Dong Cuong, it's not only the elderly who are passionate about the folk songs and dances of the Tay people, but even young people are enthusiastic and eager to participate. Everyone is working together with Ms. Dung to preserve the precious cultural heritage of their ethnic group.

During each training session, Ms. Ha Thi Dung wholeheartedly guides and teaches the club members, fostering national pride and raising awareness of preserving and promoting Tay Khao culture in daily life. Therefore, since its establishment, the club has consistently maintained its activities and training sessions, winning numerous major awards at competitions and performances at the commune level and in exchanges with other provinces. The club has truly become a common home for those passionate about Tay Khao culture.

Ms. Ha Thi Dung shared: "The club was established with the aim of preserving and conserving the traditional cultural values ​​of the Tay Khao people. Teaching the younger generation about the language, folk songs, and folk dances is the most practical way to 'pass on the flame' and preserve the ethnic identity."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ga, a member of the club, said: "Establishing the club is extremely meaningful, serving both as a place to preserve and maintain the beautiful traditional culture of our ancestors, and as a healthy and beneficial playground for people to connect and share their passion for ethnic culture. We hope that the culture of the Tay Khao people will be passed down for generations to come."

As the club's chairperson, Ms. Dung dedicates much of her time to documenting and collecting folk knowledge, creating a valuable archive of Tay Khao ethnic culture, which serves the research, inventory, and documentation of cultural heritage in the locality.

Currently, Ms. Ha Thi Dung is also one of the few people in Lao Cai province with knowledge and understanding of the customs, folk songs, and folk dances of the Tay Khao people. She has made significant contributions to the restoration and preservation of traditional spiritual and cultural rituals, notably performing the Then dance in solemn ceremonies at the Dong Cuong Temple Festival.

Ms. Ha Thi Dung and the club members enthusiastically practice.

Ms. Dung not only preserves but also contributes to revitalizing Tay Khao culture, helping these traditional values ​​not only to exist in people's minds but also to be regularly practiced, enhancing the cultural and spiritual life of the community.

Dung's contributions have been recognized by Dong Cuong commune and its people, and the commune's People's Committee has submitted her application for the title of "Folk Artisan in the Spiritual Field". for their contributions to preserving and promoting the nation's cultural heritage.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nguoi-giu-gin-van-hoa-tay-khao-post884690.html