Photography contributes to preserving the identity of ethnic minorities

In the flow of globalization and urbanization, many customs, traditions, festivals, and traditional costumes of ethnic minorities have faded or even disappeared. Between the fragile line between remaining and disappearing, the photographic lens is carrying out a silent but urgent mission - preserving the soul and identity of ethnic minorities.

The development of modern society is posing a great challenge to the preservation of Vietnam's cultural heritage. Young people in remote villages wear traditional costumes less and less, ancient festivals are gradually being simplified, and houses and objects that are symbolic in the lives of ethnic minorities are gradually disappearing...

More than ever, the role of archiving documents becomes urgent. That is the driving force that urges hundreds of photographers, both professional and amateur, both Vietnamese and foreign, to turn their lenses to the most remote lands. They are not looking for simple works of art. They are looking for heritage.

Photographic lenses are on a mission to help preserve the souls and identities of Vietnam's ethnic minorities.

Most recently, the photo book and exhibition “Colors of Life of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups” by the Hai Au Women Photography Club, Ho Chi Minh City, which gathered 298 works, told the story of a diverse and rich Vietnam. This is the result of 35 years of efforts, with female photographers constantly traveling through many regions.

Nguyen Hong Nga, Vice President of the Hai Au Women's Photography Club, shared her motivation for this journey: "In the flow of modern society, the unique culture and identity of ethnic minorities are at risk of being lost. We want to use the language of photography to capture those vivid moments."

Photo "K'Ho ethnic group" by author Nguyen Thi Sin.

Photographer Hong Nga used the example of a photo of the Mong ethnic group with curly hair that she took in Dien Bien several decades ago. The photo captured the unique custom of Mong women there: using horsetails to wrap their hair to make it longer, sometimes up to 1-2 meters, weighing several kilograms. “They all feel happy, because for them, that is a national tradition, a way to preserve ancient culture... That love is a lucky thing that I have preserved in my photo. Now this cultural feature is very rare. Life changes, the opportunity to capture the unique cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities is getting fewer and fewer.”

For many years, photographer Cao Thi Thanh Ha has regularly participated in trips to the highland border areas, where many ethnic minorities live, to "hunt for photos". Going to the most remote villages of the Northwestern and Central Highlands provinces, she looks for photos of ancient houses, stilt houses, rammed earth houses..., recording the daily life of the people, from cooking by the fire, weaving brocade, painting with beeswax... Coming to the Southwest region, to the Khmer people, she looks for photos of ancient dances, pagodas, and rituals that are still preserved to this day...

“Taking photos of ethnic groups is first and foremost to preserve them for myself. Each ethnic group has its own characteristics, most clearly expressed through the architecture of its houses, its costumes and its lifestyle… For me, each photo of ethnic groups is like a precious asset. From that asset, I contribute to preserving and promoting the images of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam,” photographer Cao Thi Thanh Ha confided.

The work "M'Nong ethnic baby" by photographer Rehahn.

Not only domestic artists, many international photographers also devote their love and passion to "decoding" and preserving Vietnamese culture. For example, French photographer Réhahn, with more than a decade of in-depth research into ethnic communities, launched the project Priceless Heritage , preserving and introducing the culture of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. Priceless Heritage is considered a collection of portraits and stories about ethnic groups and traditional handicrafts to help the public better understand the diversity of the S-shaped country.

Sharing with the press, photographer Réhahn said that in order to have “talking” portraits, he did not take photos in a “horseback riding” style but spent time living and talking with the people. Only then could he convey the core values ​​of his people and preserve the precious things that were at risk of being lost.

Therefore, there are ethnic groups, such as the Ro Mam (only a few hundred people left), Réhahn spent 3 years to convince them to allow him to take photos in their traditional costumes. It is this patience and respect that helped him capture and turn the photos into moving works of art and rich documentation of the lives of the ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Photo "Ma ethnic group" by author Phi Thi Thu Ha.

Looking at the photos of ethnic minorities, we not only see the colors of their costumes and the beauty of their people, but also their lifestyle, customs, and identities. The journey of the photographers is therefore like that of silent guardians of heritage. With their hearts, patience, and lenses, they are the ones who “keep the fire” for the diverse and rich Vietnamese culture.

daibieunhandan.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhiep-anh-gop-suc-bao-ton-ban-sac-cac-dan-toc-thieu-so-post885337.html