Tuyen Quang (VNA) – Thenorthern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang is home to nearly 100,000 peopleof Dao ethnicity whose culture boasts unique customs, rituals and arts.

Tuyen Quang is the only province in Vietnam hometo all nine Dao subgroups, namely Dao Do, Dao Tien, Dao Cooc Mun, Dao QuanChet, Dao O Gang, Dao Cooc Ngang, Dao Quan Trang, Dao Thanh Y, and Dao Ao Dai.

Uniqueworship rituals

Phung Chuong Chi, a shaman in Tho Binh communeof Lam Binh district, said the group’s worship customs are very diverse,including typical rituals like coming-of-age ceremonies and funerals.

Dao worship rituals are deeply imbued withhumanity, reminding people of their origin and connecting the community, henoted.

Paintings are widely used in Dao people’srituals, and there are specific paintings for each occasion. Tam Tuong, alsocalled Tam Thanh, is among the most popular sets of worship paintings. Itfeatures three gods: Ngoc Thanh (governing heaven), Thuong Thanh (governing Earth),and Thai Thanh (governing hell).

Chi said the paintings reflect the ethnicgroup’s conception of the universe and they believe that gods protect humans.

Green, red, purple, black and white are the maincolours in the paintings, but they also vary according to the topic andcharacters of each picture. While the costume of Ngoc Thanh is mostly colouredwith blue, green and white, Thuong Thanh’s is green, blue and dark brown, andThai Thanh wears a red, black, yellow and brown costume.

Artisan Phan Van Phu in Tan Thanh commune of HamYen district said Dao people believe that gods see everything and will punish peoplewith evil ideas. Just by looking at paintings of the gods, those with badintentions will shelve their plans.

Coming-of-agerituals – national intangible cultural heritage

The coming-of-age ceremony is the most specialtradition of Dao people, artisan Ban Kim Son in Son Phu commune of Na Hangdistrict said, adding that it is an indispensable ritual for Dao boys to berecognised as men and having full rights to engage with the community.

The ceremony, usually held in November, Decemberor January, includes rituals such as carrying a lamp, reporting to the HeavenGod, coming of age and paying tribute to ancestors.

The coming-of-age ceremony also varies betweenthe Dao subgroups. Its organisation can be divided into three forms. Indoor andoutdoor rituals combined with folk dances and games are conducted by thesubgroups of Dao Thanh Y, Dao Quan Trang and Dao Ao Dai. Meanwhile, Dao Tienand Dao Cooc Ngang people carry out the coming-of-age ceremony indoors. Peopleof Dao Do, Dao Quan Chet, Dao Cooc Mun and Dao O Gang hold rituals indoorsfirst and then outdoors.

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With its special values, the coming-of-ageceremony of Dao ethnics in Tuyen Quang province was named national intangiblecultural heritage in November 2013.

SpecialPao Dung singing

Pao Dung singing is considered a treasure ofDao people who express their aspirations through this art. Each Dao subgrouphas its own singing style. While some perform Pao Dung in a low pitch, otherssing high-pitched.

Chu Tuan Ngan, an artisan in Trung Minh communeof Yen Son district, said Pao Dung singing developed from daily activities ofthe ethnic group. Despite singing style differences among subgroups, all PaoDung melodies of Dao people in Tuyen Quang highlight good behaviour, nature andcreativity.

The art includes singing in daily life(including lullabies, entertainment, love), singing in religious rituals, andsinging during work.

Pao Dung singing was also listed as nationalintangible cultural heritage.

Tran Duc Thang, head of the cultural heritagedivision of the Tuyen Quang provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism,said the province has carried out many activities over the years to preserveand promote the cultural identities of Dao people. A culture preservation clubwas also set up with representatives of all nine Dao subgroups.

In the future, Tuyen Quang plans to build plans topreserve Dao culture. A national Dao cultural festival, the first of its kind,will be held in the province this September to honour the group’s culture.

Thang added the culture department will alsosurvey Dao culture in Na Hang and Lam Binh districts, preserve folk culturalvalues and revive traditional crafts and costumes of Dao people.-VNA