Da Bac district preserves and promotes the cultural identity of the Dao ethnic group

Da Bac district, Hoa Binh province has 5 ethnic groups living together, the proportion of ethnic minorities (EM) accounts for nearly 90%, of which the Dao ethnic group accounts for over 14%. In recent years, the preservation and promotion of the cultural identity of the Dao ethnic group has been focused on, which is a premise to boost the development of community tourism in this mountainous district.

People in Sung hamlet, Cao Son commune (Da Bac) teach their children the craft of beeswax painting and brocade weaving.

Dao people in Lau Bai hamlet, Vay Nua commune (Da Bac) preserve traditional house customs.

In Da Bac district, the Dao ethnic people live in a number of communes such as Toan Son, Cao Son, Vay Nua, and Tu Ly. In recent years, with the attention and investment of the Party and the State, the lives of the Dao ethnic people have changed significantly. Having the opportunity to visit Lau Bai hamlet, home to more than 30 Dao households in Vay Nua commune, we can clearly see the changes in this village. Nearly 7 years ago, Dao hamlet was devastated by natural disasters when the whole hamlet was at high risk of landslides, so they were forced to urgently move to a new place. After going through the most difficult years, the lives of people in Lau Bai hamlet have now stabilized with hardened roads and the national electricity grid reaching every household.

Secretary of Lau Bai hamlet Party Cell Ly Quang Hoang said: Currently, the hamlet develops forestry and cage fish farming, so the people's economy has become more stable. With its location adjacent to Hoa Binh lake, Lau Bai aims to develop tourism. In the hamlet, there are households that develop cage fish farming combined with building boat houses to welcome visitors. Although life has stabilized, most families have built solid houses, but the hamlet is always determined to preserve and promote traditional cultural features and long-standing customs and practices. This is shown through the arrangement of ancestral altars in each house, wearing traditional costumes on important days. In addition, there is the organization of the cap sac ceremony, preserving the profession of dyeing fabric and weaving brocade, and singing pao dung.

While Lau Bai is aiming to develop tourism, Sung hamlet, Cao Son commune - home to over 70 Dao ethnic households - has long been a bright spot in the development of community tourism in Da Bac district. The preservation of the customs, practices and unique traditional cultural identity of the ethnic group has created unique tourism products, attracting tourists. Mr. Ly Van Nghia, Head of Sung hamlet, said: In 2017, with the help of the AOP organization, people in the hamlet started doing community tourism. The advantage of the hamlet is the wild scenery and unique cultural features that are still preserved. Since tourism has developed, the lives and incomes of the people have improved significantly. To attract tourists, the hamlet continues to restore the traditional cultural features of the ethnic group.

Indigo dyeing, beeswax painting, and brocade weaving are traditional crafts of the Dao people in Sung hamlet that have been restored, creating unique experiential tourism products for visitors. Ms. Ly Thi Thien, Sung hamlet shared: Tourists love to experience the stages of creating a traditional costume. We ourselves feel proud to introduce our ethnic culture to domestic and foreign tourists. This not only helps preserve the ethnic culture, but also develops tourism, bringing in a more stable income.

Teaching Nom - Dao script, the writing of the Dao ethnic group, to the younger generation is also being focused on by the elders in Sung hamlet. Mr. Ly Van Henh, who teaches Nom - Dao script, emphasized that teaching Nom - Dao script not only helps children and grandchildren learn about writing, but also understand the culture of their ethnic group as well as human morality. From there, there is a sense of preserving the good traditional cultural values ​​of the ethnic group, which is the foundation for developing community tourism.

In recent times, Da Bac district has supported people in Sung hamlet as well as other community tourism villages with tourism skills. In particular, focusing on restoring, preserving and promoting traditional cultural values ​​of the people. This is an important factor to promote tourism development, increase income for the Dao people and other ethnic groups in the district.

Written by Dao/Hoa Binh Newspaper

Source: https://baophutho.vn/huyen-da-bac-bao-ton-va-phat-huy-ban-sac-van-hoa-dan-toc-dao-217000.htm