Young people in traditional ethnic costumes.

Recently, young people have shown a tendency to learn about and choose traditional ethnic costumes for important occasions, cultural events, or artistic performances. Ethnic costumes are not only aesthetically distinctive but also carry profound meaning, reflecting the life, customs, and cultural identity of each community.

Cao Bang is a land rich in cultural identity, home to many ethnic minority groups. Each ethnic group has its own unique traditional clothing, reflecting the life, customs, and aesthetic values ​​of the community. Today, despite the rapid changes in modern life, many young people in Cao Bang still preserve and proudly wear their ethnic costumes, both to express their cultural identity and to spread the beauty of tradition to the community. They consider wearing ethnic clothing not only an act of respect for the past but also a way to affirm their position in a rapidly changing modern society.

One of the important occasions for young people in Cao Bang to wear traditional costumes is cultural festivals; it's an opportunity for the community to meet, interact, and honor long-standing cultural values. In the vibrant atmosphere of the festival, these ethnic costumes not only help young people immerse themselves in their ethnic identity but also bring pride as they showcase their beauty to the community. The lively performances of traditional music and dance further enhance the appeal, allowing everyone to feel the vibrant energy of the local culture.

At festivals, young men and women in vibrant ethnic costumes create a lively picture, reflecting the beauty of traditional culture. The graceful Tay and Nung girls in their indigo-dyed long dresses, the strong Dao boys in their headscarves and indigo shirts, or the radiant Hmong girls in their brocade flared skirts… all create a colorful and meaningful atmosphere. Especially in activities like Then singing, bamboo pole dancing, throwing the ball, or the love market, traditional costumes not only enhance the beauty of the wearer but also demonstrate the connection between people and their ethnic culture. Through these activities, every dance movement or step in folk games highlights the youthful energy, passion, and pride of the younger generation in their heritage.

Young people wear traditional ethnic costumes at the ethnic cultural festival.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Anh (Bao Lam) shared: "For me, traditional clothing is not just a set of clothes, but also a source of pride and a connection to the roots of our nation. I believe that wearing traditional clothing at festivals not only helps introduce local culture to more people but also helps me understand my ethnic identity more deeply."

Besides participating in the festival, many young people also proactively capture memorable moments while wearing traditional costumes. Photos and videos of the cultural festival are widely shared on social media, helping to spread the beauty of ethnic identity and attracting the attention of many people, especially domestic and international tourists. Beyond simply preserving memories, this is also a way to promote Cao Bang culture to others, contributing to the development of community tourism and the preservation of traditional beauty. The presence of ethnic costumes on digital platforms not only elevates the image of local culture but also provides opportunities for young researchers and designers to explore and develop creative ideas based on this rich cultural heritage.

Furthermore, schools, cultural centers, and community organizations in Cao Bang have been organizing numerous exchange programs, workshops, and exhibitions on traditional costumes. These activities not only help the younger generation better understand their national history and culture but also provide opportunities for them to proudly showcase their unique cultural values. Through these initiatives, the blend of tradition and modernity is clearly demonstrated, contributing to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in the context of international integration.

It is evident that, despite the passage of time, the love for traditional clothing remains undiminished. They not only preserve but also breathe new life into ethnic costumes, allowing them to continue to exist and thrive in modern life. As a result, the cultural identity of the highlands is not only preserved but also becomes a source of pride for the younger generation to continue to uphold and promote. This harmonious blend of tradition and modernity has created a new cultural wave, in which each individual is not only an inheritor of heritage but also a creator, transformator, and inspirer for the community, contributing to building a future filled with pride in ethnic culture.

Khanh Duy

Source: https://baocaobang.vn/nguoi-tre-voi-trang-phuc-van-hoa-dan-toc-3175680.html