Step-by-step promotion of cultural characteristics in ethnic minority areas

For the last two years, the authorities, sectors and units in Khanh Hoa Province have paid a special attention to the mountainous areas with many ethnic minorities in order to promote sustainable development of the areas and their cultural characteristics. 

Preserving and promoting cultural tradition

Khanh Vinh District has supported investment in building cultural and sports institutions of 18 villages; purchased of equipment for 7 community houses; offered operating costs for 5 traditional music teams of ethnic minorities; equipped community bookcases for two  communes with extremely difficult conditions; restored some traditional festivals of Raglai and Ede ethnic minorities in the district.

Ede people in Ninh Tay Commune (Ninh Hoa Town) playing gong

Cultural houses have been built in the localities in ethnic minority areas and mountainous areas in the districts of Khanh Vinh, Khanh Son, Dien Khanh, Cam Lam, Ninh Hoa Town, and Cam Ranh City. Preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities have been implemented through the restoration of intangible cultural forms such as ceremony to express gratitude to parents of Raglai ethnic group in Khanh Son District and new rice ceremony of Raglai ethnic group in Khanh Vinh District. The localities have also held many classes to teach intangible cultures to ethnic minorities, for example classes in lithophone and ma la playing, epics telling and singing, etc.; formed and supported local music teams; propagandized  ethnic policies through cultural , art and sports activities and traditional festivals of ethnic minorities; and so on.

Linking up with tourism development

In the time to coming, the Provincial Department of Culture and Sports and related units and localities will make specific plans for each year and strengthen the implementation of preservation and promotion of the traditional cultural values and characteristics of ethnic minorities linked up with tourism development. This aims to improve material and spiritual life of people in the ethnic minority areas and mountainous areas with focus on Khanh Vinh and Khanh Son districts and areas with especially difficult conditions.

Music troupe of Raglai people performing in a music program

The units will also cooperate to invest in cultural institutions; promote the role of local people in building grassroots cultural life; eradicate unsound customs; preserve and promote typical  traditional festivals of ethnic minorities in order to develop tourism products in the ethnic minority areas and mountainous areas.

Giang Dinh
Translated by H.N