O Du people join hands to build prosperous and cultural villages

The O Du are one of the five smallest ethnic groups in the country, living only in Tuong Duong district (Nghe An). In 2006, they moved to Vang Mon resettlement village (Nga My commune, Tuong Duong district) to give up land for the construction of Ban Ve Hydropower Plant. During the 18 years of settling in their new place, the O Du people have made efforts to develop the economy, break the monoculture of rice on the fields, build prosperous and prosperous villages, and especially pay attention to preserving and promoting unique and distinctive cultural values.

The national flag is planted on Ban Pot bridge (National Highway 48C), the gateway to the center of Nga My mountainous commune (Tuong Duong district, Nghe An). Photo: Xuan Tien - VNA

New look in Van Mon

As one of the 9 villages of Nga My mountainous commune, Vang Mon village has more than 100 households and over 340 people, all of whom are O Du people. The village is located at the foot of the mountain, stretching along both sides of National Highway 48C. On the other side of the village is the Pu Pa forest and the winding Nam Ngan river, providing lots of shrimp, fish and water for irrigation of the fields. Adding to the peaceful scenery of the village are rows of sugarcane, longan, papaya and coconut trees next to houses and in gardens. The village roads are hardened, clean and airy. A loudspeaker system is installed in the center of the village, ensuring access to information. At night, the village is lit up by a solar-powered lighting system running through the center of the village.

O Du people in Vang Mon village, Nga My commune (Tuong Duong, Nghe An) keep cows in a system of solid barns and feed them elephant grass many times a day during the cold spell. Photo: Xuan Tien - VNA

Ms. Vi Thi Mui, Vice Chairman of Nga My Commune People's Committee, said that in recent years, the O Du people in Vang Mon village have received attention and support from the Party and State with many programs and projects to develop livelihoods and preserve national cultural identity such as: Project 2086 to support cow breeds, restore cultural and artistic activities, support elephant grass breeds in livestock farming...

From there, the people have a solid foundation for development in all aspects. In particular, the O Du people are aware and strive to become rich, applying science to agricultural production with many economic models for high efficiency, suitable for local conditions and potential.

In the commune, there are currently many production models that provide stable income, creating a shift and diversification in the economic structure and breaking the monoculture of rice on the fields. These include a model of growing high-yield cassava on nearly 7 hectares that has yielded a second harvest; a model of growing male papaya trees, raising pigs for meat, breeding pigs, raising cows, wild boars, black pigs, planting acacia, cajuput, elephant grass for livestock, grocery stores and brocade weaving. The average income of people in Vang Mon village is more than 25 million VND/person/year. For many years, 100% of families have used grid electricity for lighting, clean water, and have health insurance cards. Children go to school at the right age, benefiting from programs and support policies of the Party and the State.

People in Nga My commune (Tuong Duong, Nghe An) have locked their cattle in cages and not let them roam freely in the forest to proactively raise and care for them. Photo: Xuan Tien - VNA

Mr. Lo Van Long, a resident of Vang Mon village, happily informed that in the past, the O Du people lived in Xop Pot and Kim Hoa villages (Kim Da commune) surrounded and isolated in the middle of the forest, transportation mainly used wooden boats and rafts, which was difficult. When someone in the village got sick, it was very difficult to travel to get medical care. Because the houses were located precariously on the hillside, during the rainy season everyone was worried about landslides and flash floods. When settling in Vang Mon village, the people benefited from programs, projects, and investment policies supported by the Party, the State, and authorities at all levels, and the people's lives changed positively.

Join hands to preserve and promote community cultural values

Mr. Lo Thanh Binh, one of the few elderly people in Vang Mon village who can still use the language of the ethnic people, shared that living in Vang Mon, people no longer have to live in houses with bamboo and thatch walls. Electricity, roads, schools and stations are fully available. Integrating into the living environment with Kinh, Thai and Kho Mu ethnic people, the O Du people are more active in economic development; proactively building cultural institutions for the village, restoring customs and traditional beauty to preserve, maintain and pass on. The harmonious lifestyle, imbued with village love and solidarity, is practiced by families according to the village's conventions.

Ms. Vi Thi Mui, Vice Chairman of Nga My Commune People's Committee, said that over the past years, when material life has been stable and gradually improved, the beauty of culture and traditional customs has been paid more attention to preserving and promoting by the O Du people. Currently, the brocade weaving profession is being carried out quite well by the women in the village and has had a widespread influence. Some types of musical instruments, cultural and artistic activities such as carving, flute playing, xixo, gong culture, bamboo dancing... are maintained and promoted by the people. In particular, unique and characteristic rituals and ceremonies that identify the culture of the O Du people in the rituals and life cycle are preserved such as the first thunder festival of the year, the new rice celebration, the ceremony to make a fortune, etc.

A male student of class 6A, Nga My Boarding Ethnic Secondary School and Secondary School, Tuong Duong district, in traditional costume of the O Du people, introduces daily necessities. Photo: Xuan Tien - VNA

Mr. Lo Van Hung stated that the O Du people live very emotionally and unite to build the village, preserve and conserve cultural values. Whenever a family in the village has work, the villagers enthusiastically participate in contributing their working days.

Village elder Lo Van Cuong, a prestigious person in Vang Mon village, said that from the remote, isolated, and difficult to settle and make a living in Vang Mon village, the life of the O Du people has turned to a historical turning point.

In addition to favorable factors in terms of people's livelihood, the role and position of the O Du people in the community and society have been increasingly promoted. Over the years, with the attention and close guidance of local authorities, people in the village have always complied with the Party's policies and guidelines, the State's laws and policies, and local and village regulations. All families have fully implemented the content of building a cultural family. Everyone must take care of labor, production and business, legitimate enrichment, education, and solidarity and mutual support. Currently, although life is influenced by cultural exchange, the O Du people are still aware of preserving the unique values ​​of the nation, demonstrated through the preservation of dishes with typical cultural features such as grilled fish, Canh Mot soup, Lam rice, Can wine, Cam wine, Super wine...

At the markets, tourists can easily recognize the O Du people through their traditional costumes (including scarves, skirts, shirts, and jewelry) with unique and characteristic patterns. O Du students still wear traditional costumes to school in pride of their ethnic culture.

Van Ty - Hai An (Vietnam News Agency)

Source: https://baophutho.vn/dong-bao-o-du-chung-tay-xay-dung-ban-lang-am-no-van-hoa-223400.htm