Cao Lan Cultural Rendezvous in Dong Son

In the autumn afternoon, the golden rays of sunlight like heavenly silk cover the stilt house roof of the Cao Lan people in Dong Son village, Yen Son commune, painting a magical beauty of the mountainous region. In that space, the house of Ms. Hoang Thi Duyen's family becomes very special. This is not only a place where three generations live but also a community space, where villagers gather every day to preserve and promote the identity of their ethnic group.

Family traditions preserve the national soul

During holidays and Tet, Ms. Duyen’s small kitchen is bustling and unusually cozy. The sweet aroma of hot batches of chim gau cakes spreads throughout the space, awakening beautiful memories. Looking into that kitchen, people not only see a simple cooking space but also feel the warmth of family love, of the strong bond between generations.

The cozy atmosphere of Ms. Duyen's family gathering together to wrap the dove cakes for the special holiday.

On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Ms. Duyen's family gathered together to make traditional cakes. Her husband, Mr. Lam Van Quan, carefully cleaned each pandan leaf. Next to him, her daughter, Lam Thi Kim Khanh, skillfully rolled each string to wrap the beautiful cakes. The family atmosphere was made warmer by Ms. Duyen's whispering fairy tales and the babbling of the children.

Mr. Lam Van Quan and his daughter introduce the family's traditional bamboo and rattan products.

For Ms. Duyen, cultural transmission begins with the simplest things. She takes the opportunity to teach her children lullabies and the typical melodies of the Cao Lan people. For her, these are not only music lessons but also a way to nurture love for the nation's roots. "Language is the soul of the nation, a bridge connecting descendants with ancestors," Ms. Duyen shared while her hands were still deftly wrapping cakes. That simple confession is a profound reminder of the importance of preserving mother tongue and traditional customs.

Spreading love of culture

Not only confined to the family, the cultural "fire" from Ms. Duyen's house also spreads strongly to the community. Every afternoon, the space of the stilt house resounds with the familiar sounds of laughter and children babbling while practicing Sinh ca. From the elderly to the young in the village, they all come here to find a part of their own memories. They sit together, tell stories about the crops, their children, and then hum Sinh ca melodies. In that rustic space, Cao Lan culture is "revived" through each song, each costume, and each everyday conversation.

Kim Khanh (middle) performs in the art program "Preserving Cao Lan ethnic identity".

That love of culture has continued naturally. Kim Khanh, Duyen's daughter, now a 12th grade student, proudly shared: "Every time I wear traditional costumes and dance, I feel extremely proud. For me, it is not only a hobby, but also a way to express my love and respect for the cultural identity of my people." Kim Khanh is one of the representatives of the young generation who are actively inheriting and spreading the cultural beauty of the nation.

Ms. Duyen’s family also regularly participates in cultural activities, performing traditional costumes in local festivals and competitions. Through simple but persistent actions, Ms. Duyen’s family not only carries pride in their national identity but also contributes to spreading that pride to the community, lighting up the love of culture in the young generation of Cao Lan people.

Article and photos: Canh Truc

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/du-lich/202510/diem-hen-van-hoa-cao-lan-o-dong-son-18a61c2/