Unique Bat Xat white Hmong costume
The White Hmong people in the province live mainly in the communes of Den Thang, Trung Leng Ho and Y Ty (Bat Xat). Along with many unique cultural features, the preservation of traditional costumes is what makes the white Hmong people different from other ethnic groups.
Charming white Hmong woman in traditional costumes. |
Both white Hmong men and women in Y Ty have traditional costumes, but men only have a simple black blouse and pants, while women's costumes are more sophisticated and special.
Mrs. Thao Thi Say, white Hmong ethnic group in Ngai Cho village, Y Ty commune said: The costume of white Hmong women in Y Ty includes a black long-sleeved blouse, round neck, cross flap, buttoned at the neck and body side. Sleeves are sewn with embroidered brocade plates, patterns; calf-length shorts, plain black leggings; between the wrap waist and colorful patterned belt (green or blue), with an apron and head scarf. The apron is tied at the waist, with the waistband is a piece of embroidered brocade, in the middle is a blue rectangular cloth. Along with the waist belt, the apron is the most prominent part of the costume of the white Hmong women in Y Ty.
The traditional patterns on the costumes of the white Hmong people in Y Ty are created and inspired by familiar items such as hairbrushes, holes in sewing needles, snails, flowers, melon seeds,... Their embroidery is very sophisticated, including spiral embroidery and cross-shaped embroidery. Although these traditional patterns always have deep colors, not too colorful with large arrays of colors, they are attractive to the viewer by the delicated and sophisticated embroidery.
White Hmong people wear traditional costumes on holidays, new year or weddings and engagements. In today's life, the White Hmong people often wear creative and modern clothes for convenience in living and working.
However, the traditional costumes of the White Hmong people in each place are different. Mrs. Sung Thi Sua, of the White Hmong ethnic group in Den Thang commune, said: I was born and grown up in Den Thang. When I got married in Y Ty commune, I learned that the traditional costumes of white Hmong women here are different from those in Den Thang. For example, the white Hmong people in Den Thang wear skirts outside, not pants. Many points in the shirt and apron are also different...
The sleeves are beautifully embroidered with brocade. |
The traditional costumes of the White Hmong are hand-woven, embroidered and sewn by women for the whole family. Today, they no longer weave fabrics themselves, but buy ready-made fabrics, then embroider brocade pieces to sew into complete sets.
There are also very few places that sell available traditional white Hmong costumes, so most of the women here still sew and embroider clothes for themselves and their loved ones.
When the Women Union of the province coordinated with support units, the White Hmong people in Y Ty participated in the project to develop handicrafts from 2014 to 2016. The Hmong women here has participated in training courses on handicrafts, embroidery skills, hand-sewn product finishing, team management skills, product marketing skills... The White Hmong people in Y Ty have restored and created many new products based on traditional patterns and high use value in daily life.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, Manager of the Department of Culture and Information of Bat Xat district, the preservation of ethnic costumes in Bat Xat district in general and the Hmong people in particular has been put into the Project "Development of tourism associated with preserving the national cultural identity of Bat Xat district in the period of 2020 - 2025". Every year, the cultural sector organizes the Culture and Sports Festival of the ethnic groups in each area to preserve the cultural identity of the ethnic groups in the district. The Culture and Sports Festival of the Hmong people is held in commune groups where the Hmong people live. In the coming time, the cultural sector will continue to consult with the district and the province to have more solutions and policies to support the restoration, preservation and promotion of the cultural beauty of the ethnic groups in the area, including the preservation of traditional costumes of the White Hmong people.