Preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups

(Baonghean) -Con Cuong has a population of over 64,000 people, including 6 ethnic groups: Thai, Kinh, Tho (Dan Lai), Tay, Nung and Hoa, of which the Thai ethnic group accounts for about 70%, the Kinh ethnic group accounts for 20%. Although there are many ethnic groups living together in the area, for many generations, the people of Con Cuong have remained united and have a high sense of community, thereby creating for this land cultural features with their own identity in which Thai culture has a great influence and plays a leading role.

Ban Cang, Mon Son commune is one of the typical villages of the Thai people. Because it is located on the road to the Vietnam - Laos border, the exchange with the outside here is quite convenient, so for a long time the traditional cultural features here were lost. In recent times, responding to the policy of the Party and State on preserving, maintaining and promoting traditional cultural values, the district, commune and village levels and organizations have actively organized propaganda, mobilizing people to preserve their identity and restore many valuable ethnic cultural features such as: brocade costumes, customs and practices in weddings, engagements and especially folk songs and ancient musical instruments of the Thai people. Currently, Ban Cang has become one of the stops to visit the brocade weaving village for tourists on the Mon Son - Khe Khang - Pu Mat route. Coming here, visitors can easily see women sitting at weaving looms under a lovely stilt house with colorful brocade products and there are also booths displaying and selling products to tourists.

Ms. Ha Thi Bang - Head of the Women's Association and Vice Chairman of the Thai Folk Song Club in Cang village confided: "To preserve our identity, we have to rely on the elderly, encourage them to participate in community activities and educate our children from a young age so that when they grow up, no matter where they live, they will be aware of their roots and the cultural values ​​that their ancestors have accumulated over thousands of years. In recent years, thanks to the propaganda and mobilization of departments, branches, organizations, and Party committees at all levels, many ancient customs and practices have been maintained, such as the custom of offering new rice, the custom of singing and responding in weddings and engagement ceremonies. Brocade weaving has also been restored by many families in the village. Cang village is also the first village in Mon Son commune to establish a Thai Folk Song Club, which not only collects ancient folk songs and traditional musical instruments to pass on to the younger generation, but also organizes performances during holidays and Tet. Thanks to that, most of the people in Cang village have understood the customs and practices. The traditional cultural values ​​and community activities of the village attract a large number of people to participate.

Mr. Nguyen Huy Chuong - Head of the Department of Culture of Con Cuong district said: "Currently, the People's Committee of Con Cuong district is directing the development and implementation of the Project "Preserving, maintaining and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups in Con Cuong district in the period of 2011 - 2020". By 2015, the whole district strives to have about 60 - 70 villages, hamlets, and blocks meeting cultural standards, 95% of villages and hamlets have cultural houses and equipment for grassroots cultural activities, 100% of communes and towns have folk song and ethnic musical instrument clubs operating regularly. Every year, the People's Committee of the district will support funding for these clubs to operate and every 3 years, the district will organize the Festival of Folk Song Clubs to encourage spirit and enhance mutual learning and exchange, at the same time making the Festival one of the attractive periodic cultural activities to attract people. As of September 2012, Con Cuong has established There are 16 folk song and traditional musical instrument clubs, which attract hundreds of members and operate very enthusiastically. In addition, the district also opens Thai writing and language classes for officials, students and local people.

Hoang Hao