Son La preserves, promotes cultural heritage of Thai ethnic group

Sơn La is a land rich in cultural traditions, home to 12 ethnic groups, with the Thai making up more than half of the province’s population. The Thai people possess a unique and vibrant cultural heritage that is being preserved and spread, thus inspiring younger generations to embrace and love their culture.

 

The Thai Culture Club of Chau Co hamlet, Chieng Coi ward practices traditional Thai folk singing.

The Thai Culture Club in Chau Co hamlet, Chieng Coi ward, was established in 2020. Every Friday evening, club members gather at the hamlet’s cultural house to practice traditional dances and songs, and to share knowledge about customs, language, and writing of the Thai people. Lo Thi Bao Tram, the youngest member of the club, shared: "I am very proud to be Thai. Whenever I have free time, I learn to sing from grandmothers and mothers. I will try to absorb everything to contribute to preserving our ethnic group’s culture."

The club's management board has designed themed activities and operates under a model that encourages voluntary participation from individuals and the community. To date, the club has attracted more than 60 members, with ages ranging from 12 to over 70.

Hoang Thi Chau, Vice Chairwoman of the Thai Culture Club in Chau Co hamlet, said that the club includes a performing arts group, a bamboo weaving group, the to phai group, the to mak le group, and a Thai singing group, which all practice regularly according to themes. It also places great emphasis on teaching the Thai language to children.

The Thai Culture Club of Chau Co hamlet, Chieng Coi ward practices traditional Thai folk singing.

Kin Pang Then is a traditional festival associated with the Then singing art of the White Thai people in Quynh Nhai. It has been recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Despite changes over time, the Thai people living around the Son La hydropower reservoir area have retained the festival’s distinctive features. The festival is frequently organised and reenacted to preserve its cultural essence, affirm its roots, and educate future generations on traditional values.

People’s Artisan Dieu Van Minh, from Sub-zone 5, Quynh Nhai commune, stated that the Kin Pang Then Festival is held annually as an occasion to give thanks to ancestors, pray for good harvests, favourable weather, health, and happiness. It has become a cultural rendezvous where people sing, dance, play traditional games, foster unity, and build ethnic pride. 

Artisans perform the Then worship ritual during the Kin Pang Then Festival.

To promote and spread the traditional cultural values of the Thai people, Son La province's departments, agencies, and local authorities have devoted significant attention to preservation efforts. In the first half of this year, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has implemented activities to protect and promote the intangible heritage "Xoe Thai Art"; and produced clips and photo books promoting Xoe Thai. The department is also making a collection of ancient Thai-script books, especially religious texts, and preparing a scientific dossier to seek provincial recognition for it in 2025.

Several traditional festivals and rituals of the Thai people are now held annually, such as the Traditional Boat Racing Festival, the Bauhinia (Hoa Ban) Festival, and the New Rice Celebration. These events contribute to meeting the cultural enjoyment needs of the people.

"The Dance of Unity" is performed by residents of Hum hamlet, Chieng An ward.

Pham Hong Thu, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated that the preservation of Thai cultural values has achieved many positive results. Across Thai villages, folk music and dances are heard and seen daily and are deeply woven into the community’s daily life. The department is now focusing on research and advising the province to develop policies supporting artisans in heritage preservation, aiming to further protect and promote the traditional cultural values of all ethnic groups in the coming years.

With the enduring passion of artisans, the dedication of younger generations, and the support from local authorities, Thai culture continues to be nurtured, passed on, and spread, becoming a living legacy that will stand the test of time.

 

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