Preserving the cultural identity of the Cao Lan ethnic group

Members of the Thai Binh village art troupe, Binh Ca commune practice performing arts.

Ms. Phan The, Head of Thai Binh village, said that the village has 147 Cao Lan households. To preserve the ethnic cultural identity, people are always conscious of preserving good customs and practices; preserving the traditional language and costumes; making cakes for holidays, Tet and especially the Sinh ca singing. The village's art troupe was established and maintained to practice and perform on every major holiday of the year or participate in cultural and artistic exchanges in the locality.

A dance practice session of the Thai Binh village art troupe, Binh Ca commune.

Ms. Lau Thi Khang, 78 years old, Head of the Village Elderly Association, shared that the Association always identifies each member as a pioneer in preserving and teaching the beauty of ethnic culture to their children and grandchildren. Therefore, this activity is integrated into the Association's movements such as "Old Age - Bright Mirror", cultural and artistic activities of the elderly. In each family, the elderly are role models in preserving the ethnic cultural identity. At the same time, they teach their children and grandchildren to speak the ethnic language; wear traditional costumes on important days such as weddings, engagements, festivals, Tet, etc.

When it comes to the cuisine of the Cao Lan people, traditional cakes are indispensable. Ms. Hoang Thi Bien, Deputy Head of the Village Elderly Association, said: “On the occasion of the traditional Tet holiday, the Cao Lan people cannot lack banh chung and banh gai; on Thanh Minh festival, there is black sticky rice. This is a very typical dish. To make this dish, we take sticky rice and soak it with sau sau leaves. The sau sau tree, also known as the phong huong tree, the young leaves are often used to make food coloring for black sticky rice and black banh chung, which have a natural aroma and are safe for health”. In addition, people also take leaves from various types of trees to make five-color sticky rice. On Doan Ngo festival, there is banh lang…

People of Thai Binh village, Binh Ca commune create products from traditional embroidery.

In particular, activities to preserve the national cultural identity are also organized by the Elderly Association of the village in coordination with the Elderly Association of Dong Chiem village, where the majority of Cao Lan people also live. Thanks to that, the cultural and artistic movements in the two villages are effectively maintained. Traditional customs are jointly preserved and promoted by the people of the two villages.

Ms. Ly Thi Dao, Dong Chiem village, expressed that every time there is a performance or cultural exchange, she and some members of the Elderly Association of the village join the practice with the Thai Binh Village Art Troupe. Everyone actively practices Sinh Ca singing, those who sing well guide those who do not know how to sing, to preserve the unique cultural features of the Cao Lan people in the locality. In particular, she and some members also maintain the traditional embroidery profession, demonstrating the ingenuity, perseverance, and meticulousness of Cao Lan women in the family. Nowadays, embroidery threads are very rich, with many beautiful colors, so she also takes the opportunity to make products such as crossbody bags to sell, both to earn extra income and to preserve the traditional profession.

A meeting of the Thai Binh village art troupe, Binh Ca commune.

Ms. Lau Thi Khang, Head of the Village Elderly Association, shared that nowadays, young people are busy working for companies, so they do not participate in village activities regularly, especially cultural and artistic movements. Therefore, promoting the spirit of "Old age - Bright example", she and the members of the Association and the village art troupe always try to maintain the village's movements. At the same time, they teach their children and grandchildren to preserve the good customs, habits and traditions of the nation.

One weekend, the cultural house of Thai Binh village, Binh Ca commune was more bustling with the sound of Sinh ca singing mixed with the voices and laughter of the members of the Art Team and the villagers who came to watch and cheer. Through specific and practical activities, each member of the Art Team and the Elderly Association of the village are actively working together to preserve the cultural identity of the Cao Lan ethnic group in the locality.

Huyen Linh

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/202508/giu-gin-ban-sac-van-hoa-dan-toc-cao-lan-d986124/