The descendants of Ban Vuong in Cao Bang

We arrived at Hoai Khao hamlet, Quang Thanh commune, Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province on a rainy afternoon. The weather didn't dampen the scenery; on the contrary, the terraced rice fields gradually turned golden, interspersed with houses roofed with yin-yang tiles. Under the persistent rain, the hard, ceramic tiles gleamed, creating a natural landscape that retained the wild, unspoiled beauty of the Viet Bac region.

As a small hamlet with only 35 households, 100% of whom are Dao Tien ethnic people, the residents here possess a rich wealth of folk knowledge and fascinating stories about the customs, traditions, culture, and identity of the Dao people.

The Dao Tien people by the fireplace.

The kitchen was the first place we entered when we arrived at Ms. Ban Thi Lien's Khanh Hung homestay. Beside the crackling fire, radiating warmth, with fragrant smoke swirling around and the sound of burning wood, Ms. Lien told me the story explaining why the Dao Tien people have the custom of living in high mountain areas.

According to ancient legend, the Dao Tien and Tay people were given a choice between two chests. The Dao Tien people lifted the heavier chest, which contained a knife. Therefore, the Dao Tien people moved to the mountains to live. The knife was used as a tool for labor, foraging in the forest, and earning a living.

The Tay people, who can lift lighter chests, live in the lower mountainous regions. Even the name of the hamlet, Hoai Khao, is explained as actually being pronounced Vai Khao, meaning white buffalo, connected to a legend about a white buffalo bestowed by a fairy...

Quickly carrying the basket containing the beeswax bowls and printing tools out onto the porch, Ms. Ban Thi Lien continued to enthusiastically tell us about the meaning of the patterns and designs on the traditional clothing of Dao Tien women.

Although I've heard several different versions of the Dao people's totem beliefs, the mysterious story connected to the history of the Dao ethnic group, as told by Ms. Ban Thi Lien, is incredibly fascinating and captivating. From ancient times to the present day, the clothing of the Dao Tien people has always featured embroidered patterns on the shoulders of their shirts. These patterns symbolize a dog.

When the Dao Tien people migrated across the sea to find new land to settle and make a living, they forgot to bring the Ban Vuong seal (considered the ancestor of the Dao people) with them, and had to ask a dog to retrieve it for them. In gratitude for the dog's efforts, the Dao Tien people embroidered this image onto the women's clothing to commemorate the act.

Lifting her white headscarf, Ms. Lien reached behind her back and showed me the tiger claw marks. According to her, the tiger claw marks are traditionally considered a "charm" that allows the Dao Tien people to go into the forest with peace of mind, keeping wild animals away and preventing them from being scratched or harmed by tigers.

Amidst modern life and the scientific evidence surrounding everything, folk beliefs and spiritual faith serve as a unifying thread for communities and villages. Over time, these national humanistic values ​​and cultural identity endure. The Dao Tien people live and survive in the mountains and forests with profound spiritual beliefs. The Dao Tien cultural identity is preserved intact and continues to grow deeper and richer.

Bamboo molds for printing beeswax patterns.

The more the fire burned, the more it captivated the tourists. We went out to the veranda to watch how the Dao Tien women printed patterns onto their dresses and blouses. Observing each meticulous movement of the beeswax printing, we could see the skillful hands of the Dao Tien women. Perhaps this is because everyone here must know how to sew their own clothes, how to print beeswax patterns, and how to embroider beautiful designs.

Gazing out at the distant mountain ranges, amidst the hazy stories preserved by the local people and the rich, distinctive traditional culture that still exists... Hoai Khao still holds immense potential for community-based tourism development. The Dao Tien people in Hoai Khao village are incredibly "rich" in both tangible and intangible heritage.

The beeswax harvesting festival (also known as the Bee Cave Festival) attracts visitors from all over, the Nhội tree, recognized as a Vietnamese heritage tree, is a popular check-in spot, and the Páo Dung folk songs and the unique coming-of-age ceremony are frequently mentioned.

This serves as a foundation for the Hoai Khao community tourism village to develop unique tourism products and enhance traditional cultural experiences for visitors, while simultaneously improving livelihoods and bringing common benefits to the community.

Ngoc Lien (Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Source: https://baophutho.vn/nhung-nguoi-con-cua-ban-vuong-o-cao-bang-219419.htm