Among the six dancing artisansin Nam Khao commune, Muong Te district, Ly Thi Giong is considered a livingtreasure 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 melodiesand dances.
“I urge young local girls topractice dances in a hope to stop Cong cultural identity from falling intooblivion,” Giong said. “In the past, we had to equip ourselves with paraffinlambs and wood canes for practicing. Now it is more convenient as we areequipped with electricity and loudspeakers,” added Giong.
Local authorities of Nam Khaocommune have paid attention to maintaining such classes in an attempt topreserve the traditional cultural values of the Cong ethnic group.
He said the traditional culturalvalues of ethnic groups are precious heritage, contributing to a diverse butunited Vietnamese culture.
Upholding and promotingtraditional cultural values of ethnic minorities is urgent given increasingglobal integration. To that end, classes, art troupes passing down folk cultureto younger generations need to be multiplied so that culture is nurtured andcan maximise its internal strength, Hien said.-VNA