According
to Ha Van Quang, Vice Chairman of the town’s People’s Committee, the town is
currently home to 12 amateur art troupes. Vibrant public art movement has drawn
the participation of a crowd of local people. Performances of velvety Thai
ethnic melodies extolling the town’s beauty received first prizes at the
district’s art contests.
Mai Chau town has joined hands with lcoal schools to set up art troupes and
encourage students to sing Thai ethnic songs, helping them fully grasp the values
of Thai ethnic language and raise sense of responsibility in protecting the
values.
Folk games of the Thai ethnic minority group have been integrated into
extracurricular activities at schools while the Thai language is used in
families every day.
Brocade
weaving has been preserved and developed by local people in Mai Chau town for
years.
The Thai ethnic minority group’s
tradition has been practiced through numerous festivals like Xen Ban, Xen Muong
and Com Moi (new rice). Preparing worship trays, making traditional dishes and
inviting powwows to carry out rituals show their respect for traditional
values.
Mr. Ha Van Thiet in Pom Coong village said: "My ancestors once performed Thai
traditional rituals and now we have to obey the practice to set example for our
descendants”.
The new rice festival is among typical festivals maintained by the Thai ethnic
people in Mai Chau town. The festival, held after the 8th lunar
month when all families finish their rice harvest, is an occasion for Thai
people to give thanks to their ancestors for a bumper crop. It also helps
educate younger generations about gratitude and respect for their parents and
ancestors.
Meanwhile, images featuring Thai women sitting next to their looms to weave
brocade have become their fine tradition. Currently, the town has 18 brocade
weaving establishments. Engrossed in making scarves, bags and gowns, Thai
ethnic women want to teach their children about responsibility to take care of
their families.
In Mai Chau town, Thai women wear their traditional dresses during special
occasions like festivals, meetings or New Year holidays. Particularly, in
community-based tourism villages of Van and Pom Coong, Thai women have been
encouraged to dress traditional costumes when welcoming tourists.
Stilt houses of the Thai ethnic people have been also preserved. Up to 40 out
of 79 households in Pom Coong village have retained their stilt houses./.
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