The Cong ethnic group in Muong Te district, the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau  boasts a diverse cultural life with traditional values. Over the years, local people have made great efforts in preserving the group’s cultural identity.

Class teaches folk dances of Cong ethnic people

Among the six dancing artisans in Nam Khao commune, Muong Te district, Ly Thi Giong is considered a living treasure in helping preserve the traditional folk art of the Cong ethnic group. Everyday, she teaches local girls the group’s folk dances. Day after day, despite rain and sun, her class is full of sounds echoing from folk melodies and dances.

“I urge young local girls to practice dances in a hope to stop Cong cultural identity from falling into oblivion,” Giong said. “In the past, we had to equip ourselves with paraffin lambs and wood canes for practicing. Now it is more convenient as we are equipped with electricity and loudspeakers,” added Giong.

Local authorities of Nam Khao commune have paid attention to maintaining such classes in an attempt to preserve the traditional cultural values of the Cong ethnic group.

According to Ly Van Hieu, Chairman of the Nam Khao communal People’s Committee, said at present, the commune has six art troupes for six villages, with each village having one artisan. 

He said the traditional cultural values of ethnic groups are precious heritage, contributing to a diverse but united Vietnamese culture.

However, the widespread pervasion of foreign cultures has posed challenges for local authorities in preserving cultural values, he said. 

“In the future, we hope that the State will pay more attention to providing assistance for classes and artisans who can participate in preserving the traditional cultural values of ethnic groups such as Sin La, Cong, Mang, La Hu,” said Tran Duc Hien, Vice Chairman of the Muong Te district People’s Committee.  

Upholding and promoting traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities is urgent given increasing global integration. To that end, classes, art troupes passing down folk culture to younger generations need to be multiplied so that culture is nurtured and can maximise its internal strength, Hien said.-VNA