The Co people preserve their cultural identity from their beaded necklaces.

The Co people pass the beaded necklace from generation to generation through inheritance and addition. Photo: PHAN VINH

Precious item

In the house of Ms. Ho Thi Linh (born in 1983, village 2, Tra Kot commune, Bac Tra My), what is carefully kept is not gold, silver or cash, but a set of beads - an accessory that goes with the traditional costumes of her people. Every year, she only uses this set of beads on important occasions such as weddings, new rice celebrations, or buffalo-eating ceremonies.

Ms. Linh said that in the village, she is the only one who owns a complete set of beads including head, shoulder and waist chains. If bought new today, the price of such a set could be more than 10 million VND. But for her, it is not simply jewelry, but a family heirloom, passed down from her great-grandmother, grandmother, mother and now to her. Through each generation, family members have saved and contributed more beads to make the collection more complete and brilliant.

Ho Thi Linh and her husband and their 100-year-old beaded necklace. Photo: PHAN VINH

“

This set of beads is over 100 years old, never washed but still new and bright because it has been carefully preserved. In the past, to have each bead, women had to save a lot to buy it. Every time I wear it, I feel proud. Later, when I am old, I will pass it on to my eldest daughter as a precious dowry.

Ms. Ho Thi Linh

Village elder Vo Van Hung (village 2, Tra Kot commune) said that in addition to the beaded necklaces for women, families with status in the village or with shamans also own special beaded necklaces with copper rings and bells. In community festivals, weddings, and rituals to worship gods and ancestors, the beaded necklace is always present on the offering tray. When worshiping, the shaman uses the necklace to perform magic, shaking the bells to create sacred sounds mixed with howls to invite the gods to witness.

[VIDEO] - Village elder Vo Van Hung shares about the Co people's worship beads:

“For the Co people, beads are not only for beauty but also a sacred object connecting the living with their ancestors. Therefore, beads are not only aesthetic, show status, but also an indispensable part of traditional rituals,” said Elder Hung.

Preserving indigenous cultural values

After many years of studying the culture of the Co people in Bac Tra My, Meritorious Artisan Duong Lai stated that the origin of the Co people's beads is still controversial. Before the plastic beads of today, there was a hypothesis that the ancients had polished stream stones to make beads. Another opinion said that the Co people used rvoóc tree seeds in the forest to string them into beads. Because the Co people did not have a weaving profession, they often exchanged forest products for fabrics from the lowlanders, so the beads could also have appeared from the form of bartering goods.

One of the rare beaded sets for men of the Co community in Bac Tra My. Photo: PHAN VINH

Although there is no consensus on the origin, the Co people divide the beads into three types: women's costume beads, men's necklace beads, and prayer beads with bells. To complete a standard set of beads, the artisan must select each bead, string them into separate strands with different colors, then combine them into a complete set. This process can last from several months to a year.

[VIDEO] - Meritorious artisan Duong Lai shares about the origin and meaning of the bead set:

“

Currently, no one in Bac Tra My knows how to make traditional beaded necklaces properly. We have to order from the Co people in Tra Bong district (Quang Ngai). With its profound cultural value in terms of aesthetics and beliefs, I believe that beaded necklaces will be increasingly appreciated and restored, especially among the young.

Meritorious Artist Duong Lai

According to Ms. Vo Thi Thuy Hang - Head of the Department of Culture, Science and Information of Bac Tra My district, the bead necklace is an indispensable part of the traditional festivals of the Co people. From the funding source of the Project on preserving ethnic minority culture (phase 2022 - 2025, orientation to 2030) and the national target program, the district has supported the purchase of costumes, drums, gongs and bead necklaces for the Co people in Tra Kot and Tra Nu communes.

Young Co people enjoy wearing colorful beaded costumes at the Bac Tra My District Ethnic Culture Festival - 2022. Photo: Alang Nguoc

“The Co people have always treasured beads, especially the young generation today who love beads with their vibrant colors. During festivals, Co women confidently wear traditional costumes with beads - as a way to affirm the unique beauty of their people,” Ms. Hang shared.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/nguoi-co-gin-giu-ban-sac-van-hoa-tu-bo-chuoi-cuom-3152016.html