Son Duong preserves traditional ethnic costumes.

Son Duong is a district in Tuyen Quang province with a large ethnic minority population, accounting for nearly 50% of the total population. Preserving and promoting the value of traditional ethnic costumes not only safeguards cultural identity but also connects future generations, helping local culture develop sustainably.

Diverse traditional costumes

Son Duong District is home to 19 ethnic groups, including the Kinh, Cao Lan, Tay, Dao, San Diu, and Mong, who share many unique cultural values ​​reflected in their festivals, customs, traditions, rituals, costumes, and traditional crafts. Each ethnic group has its own distinctive attire, such as the Cao Lan people's clothing, which, though simple, is graceful and elegant, highlighting their genuine beauty; the Mong and Dao ethnic groups' clothing is colorful and diverse in style and color.

In Dong Tho commune, Mong ethnic women still maintain the custom of sewing, embroidering, and wearing traditional clothing in their daily lives. Some families own sewing machines to make their own traditional outfits. Their lives are familiar with linen, looms, needles, and thread. In their free time, they sit and weave fabric, embroidering dresses and shirts, especially during the Lunar New Year season when they focus on sewing and embroidering clothing for themselves and their families. Anyone who sees them is immediately attracted and captivated by the Mong ethnic costumes, with their beautiful and unique colors. Ms. Ly Thi Kia from Tan An village shared: “Mong ethnic clothing is a unique cultural symbol, showcasing skill and creativity. With exquisite hand-embroidered patterns and vibrant colors, each outfit not only has aesthetic value but also contains stories about history, customs, and beliefs.”

People in Dai Phu commune (Son Duong district) wearing traditional Cao Lan ethnic costumes.

The traditional costume of the Cao Lan ethnic group in Chi Thiet commune is distinguished by its knee-length tunic, with the bodice featuring a combination of red, brown, pink, indigo blue, and black. The tunic opens diagonally at the front, fastened with buttons on the right side, and has slits on both sides from under the armpits down to the hem, with three buttons. The skirt is calf-length, made from five pieces of fabric, with a waistband usually smaller than the hem, and threaded with colored thread inside for tying. A unique feature is the delicate and graceful braided colored tassel sewn along the hem of the skirt. Accompanying the skirt is a belt, intricately woven and beautifully decorated with various floral patterns and alternating colors. Ms. Hoang Thi Phuong, from Ninh Phu village, Chi Thiet commune, said: “Making a complete costume usually takes a considerable amount of time. For generations, the Cao Lan people have worn traditional costumes on holidays, festivals, and important family occasions. We always strive to preserve, maintain, and promote the cultural identity of our ethnic group's traditional clothing.”

Each traditional costume possesses unique characteristics. The exquisite hand-embroidered patterns, skillful tailoring, and diverse color combinations are evident in every traditional outfit. During festivals, holidays, or important events, people not only showcase their cultural identity but also create strong bonds between generations, serving as a bridge for exchange and sharing, strengthening solidarity and mutual understanding within the community.

Preserving traditional costumes

Today, some traditional costumes are no longer widely used in daily life, and many are no longer in their original form. This is due to social development, cultural exchange, and the influence of many cultures, which have changed lifestyles. Many people are hesitant to wear their traditional ethnic costumes because they are deemed unsuitable for everyday life; young people fear being considered outdated... Therefore, preserving and promoting the value of traditional costumes is considered an urgent requirement, not only contributing to the preservation of cultural identity and enhancing spiritual life, but also being exploited for tourism development.

Ms. Ha Thi Hong Lien, Head of the Culture and Information Department of Son Duong District, said: In the face of international integration, to make traditional costumes more prevalent in the lives of ethnic minority communities, and to enhance pride, awareness, responsibility, and the preservation and promotion of traditional costumes in the area, the district has actively organized cultural and artistic festivals and exchanges to honor the value of these costumes, while also supporting the establishment and maintenance of clubs and performing arts groups. These activities not only help preserve but also promote the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities, contributing to the preservation of national cultural identity.

Pham Lan Nhi, from Nha Xe village, Dong Loi commune, has watched her grandmothers and mothers weave and embroider traditional ethnic costumes since she was a child. Lan Nhi shared: “I think ethnic costumes are very beautiful and special. Each costume is not only for wearing, but also contains many cultural and historical meanings. I hope everyone will work together to preserve and promote ethnic costumes, not only during festivals but also in daily life. This helps us remember our roots, our ancestors, and the customs and traditions of our people.”

To preserve and promote the cultural value of traditional ethnic costumes, Son Duong district has implemented Project 06 on preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities in conjunction with tourism development. From 2023 to the present, the district has established 6 folk culture clubs and provided support with costumes and props to maintain effective activities. The district has also coordinated with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in researching and inventorying cultural heritage, organizing ethnic costume performances, and establishing 32 cultural and artistic clubs for ethnic minorities. In particular, the construction of Tan Lap Cultural and Tourism Village in Tan Trao commune to preserve the Tay ethnic culture and develop community tourism has created a positive impression on tourists visiting the area.

Lan Phuong/Tuyen Quang Newspaper

Source: https://baophutho.vn/son-duong-gin-giu-trang-phuc-dan-toc-229517.htm