Red Dao people in the Stone Plateau

Quan Ba ​​is a mountainous district of Ha Giang province, located in the Dong Van stone plateau. This is where many ethnic groups live, of which the Dao ethnic group has the largest population. The Red Dao - a branch of the Dao ethnic group in Quan Ba ​​has very unique customs, practices, beliefs and culture, contributing to the unique identity of the gray stone plateau.

Visiting the mountainous land of Quan Ba, tourists will meet the simple Red Dao people in the colorful and bustling markets, on the terraced fields or under the ancient yin-yang tiled roofs. They seem to be satisfied with their simple life, working hard and "living slowly" in the peaceful mountains and forests. The Red Dao people live in many regions but their community activities are still confined within a certain geographical area.

They maintain communication in the Dao language and are always aware of passing that language on to the next generations. When getting married, the Dao also want to choose a family in the community to preserve the language and customs. The familiar work of the Red Dao is mainly slash-and-burn farming to grow rice and corn, raise livestock, make silver jewelry, weave fabric, embroider, grow medicinal plants, cotton, make agricultural tools and make incense... The Red Dao and other ethnic groups in the surrounding area often participate in the Trang Kim and Quan Ba ​​markets to exchange, buy and sell and exchange culture.

On market days, the Red Dao carry agricultural products on their backs, sometimes even lead their livestock. They wear colorful brocade costumes. The skirts of the women flutter with the rhythm of their footsteps, looking very attractive.

The Red Dao people have always maintained a strong traditional identity through their traditional costumes. Mothers and grandmothers teach their children and granddaughters weaving and embroidery techniques from a young age, so every Red Dao woman can sew beautiful costumes for herself and her family.

Dao men's clothing is quite simple, dark in color, when it's cold, they often wear berets and colorful scarves around their necks. Meanwhile, the costumes of Red Dao women are very elaborate. They pay attention to the accents and elaborate decorations on the shirt seams, trouser hems, both sides of the sleeves, the chest of the shirt and the belt. The embroidery is mainly patterns of plants, flowers and leaves. Women often wear black clothes inside, with elaborate layers of decoration including long strips of fabric around the skirt embroidered with colorful motifs. Besides the embroidered patterns on the chest, they also attach colorful beads to the waist.

The Red Dao people love silver jewelry, so on important occasions, they often wear a lot of silver around their necks and waists. Regarding headgear, Red Dao women here often use a round black crown with a brocade scarf with two ends pointing straight up. On the back, they wear a pink fringed scarf or a mix of other colors, creating a highlight in a harmonious and graceful whole.

Heritage Magazine