Unique Dao identity

The Dao ethnic group in Yen Lap district accounts for more than 5% of the district's population, mainly the Dao Quan Chet group living in villages and hamlets in the communes of Xuan Thuy, Nga Hoang, Xuan An, Trung Son, My Lung, My Luong, Thuong Long... The Dao ethnic group here has a very diverse and rich cultural treasure, with its own language and writing, unique rituals, imbued with the national cultural identity, preserved, conserved and passed down from generation to generation...

The set of worship paintings and the ritual of hanging worship paintings are unique features, imbued with the cultural identity of the Dao people.

Preserving the "soul" of the Dao people

For each ethnic group, language and writing are always considered the "soul", preserving language and writing means preserving the cultural identity of the ethnic group and the Dao ethnic group is no exception. As a person who understands the culture and writing of the Dao ethnic group and is one of two people who directly teach Nom Dao script, Mr. Phung Sinh Thinh in Xuan Thuy commune shared: "Currently, the number of people who can read and write Nom Dao script is very small. Therefore, when I was chosen to teach my ethnic group's writing to my own people, I was very happy and proud. I hope that there will be more people who can read and write Dao script to thereby contribute to preserving and promoting the traditional culture of the ethnic group".

Not only in the localities that opened classes during this period, but in Dao Xuan Thang village, My Lung commune, there are also good ways to preserve the ethnic cultural identity. Head of Xuan Thang area, Mr. Duong Kim Hung said: “In daily life, we still use Dao language. The elders in the area also teach writing and customs and practices to everyone in the area. Tet and Spring are also occasions for some families in the village to organize Tet Nhay or Cap Sac ceremony when they have enough conditions with the participation of everyone in the area, together preserving the ethnic cultural identity”.

Mr. Phung Sinh Thinh (right), Xuan Thuy commune, instructs students on how to write Nom Dao script.

Dao Nom classes are an opportunity for artisans - the owners of cultural heritage - to teach, exchange and absorb the unique values ​​of their ethnic language and writing with Dao ethnic students. Thereby, contributing to raising awareness of Dao ethnic people in preserving unique cultural values, enriching their spiritual and cultural life, and encouraging Dao people to proactively protect and promote the precious heritage of their ancestors.

Pass it on to future generations

The Dao people in Yen Lap currently have two cultural heritages recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritages, including "The Coming of Age Ritual of the Dao Quan Chet people, Xuan Thuy commune" and "The Dancing Festival of the Dao Quan Chet people, Nga Hoang commune".

In order to preserve and promote the good cultural values ​​of the Dao people, Yen Lap district has effectively implemented the scientific project "Documenting and restoring some typical traditional cultural heritages of the Dao Quan Chet people in Yen Lap district"; Resolution No. 96-NQ/HU of the Standing Committee of Yen Lap District Party Committee and Plan No. 1333/KH-UBND dated September 6, 2021 of the District People's Committee on preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic minorities in the district for the period 2021-2025, thereby contributing to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Dao people and other ethnic groups.

The establishment of clubs to preserve Dao cultural identity is a practical activity, contributing to the research, collection, preservation and teaching of the Dao people's language and writing. This is a solid foundation to maintain and promote the unique values ​​of the people such as: Ancestor worship rituals, hanging worship paintings; Coming-of-age ceremony; Tet dance; wedding rituals; how to paint beeswax, embroider patterns on traditional costumes; Bell dances, Turtle dances... while preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of the nation.

Bell dance and Turtle dance are imbued with the culture of the Dao people.

Mr. Duong Kim Thuc, Xuan Thuy commune said: "This year, my family organized the Coming of Age Ceremony - the most important ceremony for Dao ethnic men, because according to the concept of the Dao Quan Chet people, after organizing the Coming of Age Ceremony, the man is officially recognized by his ancestors and gods as an adult, has the right to participate in worship ceremonies, and is qualified to take on the work of the clan and community."

Through many ups and downs of history, the Dao ethnic group in the country in general and Yen Lap district in particular have created many unique and distinctive traditional cultural values, contributing to enriching and diversifying the cultures of ethnic groups in the area. During the migration and settlement process, the Dao people are always conscious of cultivating and preserving the unique and rich cultural values ​​of their ethnic group to pass on to future generations, considering this a "treasure" in cultural and spiritual life that cannot be lost.

Phuong Thanh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/doc-dao-ban-sac-nguoi-dao-227065.htm