The headscarves worn by Khơ Mú women in Cang Ôn village have their own unique characteristics.

In 2022, Na Cang and Long On villages were merged and renamed Cang On. The village has 75 households, 100% of whom are Khmu ethnic people. Mr. Cut Van So, Party Secretary and Head of Cang On village, said: Every year, the village disseminates the Party's directives and resolutions, and the State's policies and laws on preserving ethnic cultural identity during village meetings and group meetings so that people understand and are conscious of preserving their ethnic identity. At the same time, the role of village elders, heads of villages, influential people, and artisans is promoted to teach the younger generation how to preserve the beauty of ethnic traditions through costumes, folk songs, cuisine, the Xen Ban festival in March, and the sweet potato and taro festival in December every year.

Today, the Khơ Mú people in Cang Ôn village still preserve their traditional costumes, including the piêu scarf, cóm shirt, black skirt, belt, hair ornament, leggings, and sash set. Most notably, the Khơ Mú headscarf has a unique character, with its vibrant colors and patterns, and the highly symbolic techniques used in creating these patterns. In addition, the villagers still observe the sweet potato and taro festival, held at the end of the year. This is considered the biggest festival of the year for the Khơ Mú people, carrying deep spiritual and religious significance.

According to Mr. Seo Van Pang, a respected figure in Cang On village: The sweet potato and taro ritual takes place within each family, with the participation of relatives and villagers. The offerings include a boiled chicken, boiled sweet potatoes, boiled taro, and other fruits. The intention is to invite ancestors to join in the festivities and bless the family with good fortune in the coming year, favorable weather, and a bountiful harvest. The sweet potato and taro ritual is still preserved today, creating a unique and rich cultural identity, reflecting deep spiritual beliefs and the solidarity of the community, family, and clan.

The Au Eo dance and folk songs of the Khơ Mú ethnic group in Cang Ôn village, Mường Và commune.

The Au Eo dance is also one of the unique spiritual characteristics of the Khơ Mú people, symbolizing community strength and empathy between people and nature. It is closely related to the Khơ Mú people's belief in praying for a good harvest and their yearning for love. Au Eo is a hip-shaking, waist-swaying dance, modeled after everyday labor movements such as harvesting rice, planting corn, chasing birds, picking vegetables, and catching shrimp. The musical instruments used in this dance are mainly made of bamboo, such as the khene (bamboo flute), drums, monkey gongs, and cymbals. Currently, Cang Ôn village has established a village performing arts troupe with 10 members. Each year, the village receives funding, and the troupe regularly practices and performs for the villagers and the community, participating in competitions and festivals. In addition, the women and mothers also teach the Au Eo dance and folk songs to the teenagers and children in the village to preserve the dances and songs of the ethnic group.

Women in Cang On village, Muong Va commune, sew and embroider their own scarves and traditional clothing.

As the youngest member of the Cang On village's performing arts group, Mong Thi Nang shared: "Since I was little, my grandmother and mother taught me the Au Eo dance. Now, I and the other members of the village's performing arts group are teaching it to young people in the village so that more and more people can learn to dance the traditional dance and sing the folk songs of the Khmu ethnic group."

By various means of preserving traditional cultural aspects, coupled with a sense of safeguarding the nation's cultural identity from each individual, family, and clan, we believe that the beautiful cultural heritages of the Kho Mu people here will continue to be preserved and live on forever.

Text and photos: Truong Son

Preserving and promoting the traditional culture of the Khơ Mú ethnic group (baosonla.org.vn)