The culture of the Cong ethnic group lives on through time.

In the flow of modern life, where new values ​​are constantly being created, in Xam Lang village (Muong Te commune), the traditional culture of...

As spring arrives, the village of Xám Láng takes on a new appearance – cheerful, warm, and full of life. It has over 120 households with more than 460 inhabitants. Amidst the spring colors of the mountains and forests, although life has changed considerably, traditional cultural values ​​remain present in every home and in daily life, enduring like an ever-flowing stream. Along the roads branching off throughout the village, we encountered many Cống women in their traditional attire.
Village chief Lo Van Qua led us to a space where many people were singing ancient folk songs. The entire space was filled with color; the dark indigo shirts stood out with blue, red, and yellow stripes on the sleeves; the striped brocade skirts were harmoniously colored; blue sashes cinched the waists, and silver chains jingled on the hips with each step. The women, lightly made up, with their hair neatly tied up in buns and black headscarves, not only accentuated their grace but also embodied the cultural beauty preserved through generations.
Ms. Chảo Thị Liên, a villager, invited us to join in the festivities. The atmosphere became even warmer and friendlier when she took my hand and joined in the songs and dances. Ms. Liên happily shared: "Normally, people rarely wear traditional clothing because they are busy working and producing, but during festivals, especially Tet (Lunar New Year), everyone has to wear their ethnic costumes. These costumes are a source of pride and a unique cultural 'language' of the Cong people."

Cong women sew traditional clothing.

Indeed, among the Cong people, girls as young as 14 or 15 already know how to sew and embroider. As they grow older, they become proficient in growing cotton, spinning yarn, weaving, and sewing. For the women here, every stitch represents skill and patience. And so it is passed down from mother to daughter, from generation to generation, as a way of preserving the national spirit amidst the flow of time.
Beyond simply wearing traditional clothing, the Cong people of Xam Lang also preserve their culture through folk dances, songs, and customs passed down from generation to generation. In the wooden house of Mrs. Lo Thi Thai (nearly 70 years old), we listened to her recount the traditions and customs of the community. Mrs. Thai slowly said: "The Cong people here have unique folk songs, ancient rituals, and distinctive customs. The most joyful occasions are traditional festivals such as the village worship ceremony, the corn festival, and the new rice festival... These rituals are deeply rooted in agricultural beliefs and community spirit. Every time there's a festival, everyone prepares offerings, decorates their houses, and it's a lot of fun."
Today, despite modern life, the people of the highlands still prioritize and promote the preservation of beautiful festivals, customs, and traditions. In particular, for many years, the commune has focused on collecting, researching, and documenting traditional cultural values ​​that are gradually fading away over time.
Mr. Vang Van Chau, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Te commune, said: "Recognizing the special value of the Cong ethnic group's culture, after the merger, the commune government has implemented many activities to preserve and promote traditional identity. We continue to maintain: village worship ceremonies, corn festivals, and new rice festivals; open classes to teach folk songs and dances, and establish community art troupes… At the same time, we promote the role of village elders, village heads, and influential people in mobilizing young people to preserve cultural identity and spread and promote the traditional values ​​of the ethnic group on social media."

Teaching traditional songs to children is a way for the Cong people to preserve their ethnic culture.

Walking amidst the vibrant spring colors, beneath the blossoming peach flowers, we enjoyed the soulful melodies of folk songs being taught to children by the elderly. The children's faces lit up as they held their mothers' and grandmothers' hands, singing and strolling along – a truly beautiful and peaceful scene.
Spring in the village of Xám Láng is now not only a time of new growth and blossoming, but also a season of revival of traditional cultural values. The joint efforts of the government and the people have helped to preserve and spread the beautiful cultural traditions of the Cống ethnic group, becoming a solid spiritual foundation for the community today and in the future.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/van-hoa/van-hoa-dan-toc-cong-song-mai-theo-thoi-gian-726940