Preserving the embroidery craft of the Dao ethnic group in Thach An

The embroidery craft of the Dao ethnic group in Thach An village, Cam Lien commune (Cam Thuy) has been passed down through many generations. The products made by the women not only demonstrate the ingenuity, sophistication and creativity of women but also represent the lifestyle and beliefs of the Dao ethnic group.

Preserving the embroidery craft of the Dao ethnic group in Thach An Women in Thach An village were taught embroidery by artisans in the village.

Thach An village has 88 households with 426 people, mainly Dao ethnic people. According to the elders in the village, embroidery is closely associated with the life of the Dao ethnic people. In the past, all Dao ethnic women knew how to embroider. From 10 to 13 years old, girls learned embroidery and by the age of 20, they were proficient in embroidering costumes for themselves and their family members. In recent years, due to the impact of the market economy, the embroidery profession of the Dao ethnic people in general and in Thach An village in particular is gradually being forgotten. In order to preserve and promote the embroidery profession, in recent years, the Party Committee together with the village front work committee, and mass organizations of Thach An village have strengthened the work of mobilizing people to preserve the traditional embroidery profession of their ancestors; encouraging families with children to build families, and wearing the costumes of their ethnic group on their wedding day. At the same time, encourage artisans to actively pass on their skills to the next generation to continue preserving the unique cultural features of their people.

Ms. Phung Thi An is one of the people who are passionate about the traditional embroidery craft of the Dao ethnic group in Thach An village. She said: "Since I was little, my mother always told me that Dao girls must know how to embroider. Therefore, I always tried hard to learn the craft and at the age of 10, I embroidered costumes for myself and my family members. However, a part of the young people in the village are not interested in the traditional costumes of the ethnic group. This is what makes me and those who love traditional embroidery worried and troubled. I and some sisters go to each house to encourage young people to participate in learning the embroidery craft, both teaching the craft and propagating to help them understand the value of the traditional craft left by their ancestors. Currently, Thach An village has about 50 sisters and brothers who know how to embroider. These are the successors and preservers of the embroidery craft of the Dao ethnic group."

In fact, it is known that the embroidery profession of the Dao ethnic group in Thach An village not only serves daily life and activities but also has a sacred meaning in the culture of the Dao people. The motifs and patterns on costumes, belts, headscarves... all originate from and are closely associated with daily life and work, expressing the beliefs, customs and practices of the Dao people. Although the embroidery profession of the Dao ethnic group in Thach An village is facing difficulties, with the love and dedication of the women here, it will contribute significantly to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.

Mr. Cao Van Tinh, Chairman of Cam Lien Commune People's Committee, said: With the way of the elderly teaching the young, the knowledgeable teaching the ignorant, the embroidery profession of the Dao ethnic people in Thach An village has had many positive changes. However, to elevate traditional embroidery products beyond the family, becoming commodities, the attention of the district and functional sectors is needed. Thereby, it will contribute to preserving the traditional cultural identity of the nation while creating jobs and increasing income for local people.

Article and photos: Xuan Anh

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