The Lo Lo people in Dong Van – Ha Giang, an ethnic community with a long-standing and unique traditional culture. In this article, we will explore the geographic distribution of the Lo Lo people, the characteristics of their community, wedding and funeral customs, along with their traditional costumes.
The Location and Living Space of the Lo Lo People
The Lo Lo people in Dong Van – Ha Giang reside in an area with a long-standing and extensive developmental history. They are divided into two main groups: Lo Lo Den and Lo Lo Hoa. Lo Lo Den is concentrated in Lung Cu commune, while Lo Lo Hoa predominantly lives in Lung Tao and Sung La communes, belonging to Dong Van and Meo Vac districts. Despite the two distinct branches, both Lo Lo Den and Lo Lo Hoa maintain their language, customs, and traditions, differing mainly in their traditional attire.
The Lo Lo community in Dong Van – Ha Giang has distinctive living spaces. They inhabit separate clusters of houses nestled against the mountains, overlooking valleys or fields. Lo Lo houses feature wall construction and elevated floors, varying depending on each family’s circumstances. The surrounding walls are built with stone and are approximately over 1 meter high. One of the destinations where visitors can explore the lives of the Lo Lo people is the village of Sang Pa A.
Inside the houses of the Lo Lo people in Dong Van – Ha Giang, although there may not be significant differences compared to the wall-structured houses of other ethnic groups from the outside, careful observation reveals distinctions in spatial arrangements. Each house consists of three compartments: the central compartment is reserved for receiving guests, the compartment on the right is for the elderly, and the compartment on the left is for sons, daughters, and sons-in-law. On the attic, the Lo Lo people store grains such as corn and sorghum. The middle compartment of the house is the most spacious area and also houses the ancestral altar, positioned facing the main entrance. On the ancestral altar, one can find wooden or bamboo-carved figurines symbolizing the ancestral generations. Additionally, the Lo Lo people have a custom of worshipping President Ho Chi Minh, considering him the ancestral patriarch of the family, showing reverence and respect for him.
The Legend of the Lo Lo People
According to the legend of the Lo Lo people, they are believed to originate from an ancient tribe in the high mountains. This tribe lived in a mythical kingdom called “Hong Mon.” Hong Mon was a prosperous and abundant land where everyone lived in peace and happiness.
One day, the kingdom of Hong Mon faced the threat of invasion from external forces. The people of Hong Mon were unable to resist the power of the invaders, and the kingdom was eventually defeated. Faced with the risk of losing their lives, a brave group of individuals decided to leave the kingdom and seek a new homeland to protect and rebuild their lives.
The Lo Lo people are considered the descendants of that courageous group. They departed from the kingdom of Hong Mon and journeyed through various high mountain regions, eventually arriving in the present-day land of Dong Van – Ha Giang. Here, the Lo Lo people discovered a pristine land rich in resources and breathtaking natural beauty.
The Lo Lo people built their community and settled in this new land. They formed strong bonds, preserving their culture and traditions through generations. This legend not only recounts the origin of the Lo Lo people but also instills a sense of pride in their identity and the resilience of their ethnic group.
The legend of the Lo Lo people is an essential part of maintaining and preserving the traditional culture of the Lo Lo people. It brings awareness of their origins and values, fostering love and pride for their ethnic group and homeland.
Characteristics of the Lo Lo People
Lifestyle and Culture of the Lo Lo People
The Lo Lo people in Dong Van – Ha Giang live harmoniously and cooperatively with other ethnic groups such as the Pa Then, Pu Peo, and Mong. Despite interacting with different ethnic communities, the Lo Lo people still preserve their own cultural identity. Men and women in the Lo Lo community have the freedom to explore and choose their life partners
Traditional Costumes of the Lo Lo People
The traditional attire of the Lô Lô people in Đồng Văn also has its own distinct characteristics. The triangular shape is considered a symbol of the ancestral kingdom, so their clothing always features triangular patterns. The Lô Lô people in Lũng Cú also incorporate symbolic motifs representing nature, land, and homeland, making their attire more rich and diverse. They often decorate their clothing with images of corn, buckwheat flowers, and various domestic animals, creating a sense of simplicity and familiarity.
On the traditional clothing of the Lô Lô people in Đồng Văn – Hà Giang, there are unique buttons sewn in a vertical row on hats, cuffs, and shirts. This detail represents the unity of this ethnic community. The attire of Lô Lô Chải women is adorned with patterns and colors, and the cuffs often have 3 or 4 layers of patterns, showcasing the talent, skill, and meticulousness of women in the family or those who create these garments.
The Lô Lô people always value the cultural identity of their community. Despite the changing times, they make efforts to pass down customs and traditions to their descendants for preservation and development. Lô Lô girls learn sewing, embroidery, and dressmaking for themselves from a young age. It may take up to 3-4 years to complete a beautiful dress.
The traditional attire of the Lô Lô people is not only a cultural symbol but also represents values related to family happiness and the desire for a large family. This is expressed through the patterns on the cuffs of women’s clothing, with unique motifs symbolizing the vitality and joy of family life.
Wedding Customs and Funeral Rituals of the Lo Lo People
The wedding and funeral customs of the Lo Lo people in Dong Van – Ha Giang are special rituals and traditions that mark a deep connection with their ancestors and homeland. Here is a detailed description of these two customs:
Wedding customs: Marriage is a significant event in the life of the Lo Lo people. Before the wedding ceremony, the groom’s family must seek the help of four matchmakers, consisting of two pairs of men and women. This is an important factor to ensure that the future married couple’s married life will be fortunate and happy.
In the Lo Lo wedding ceremony, the groom’s family prepares ceremonial items, including a cow, three large pigs, five castrated roosters, a bag of rice, and a bottle of wine. These items will be brought to the bride’s house to perform rituals to inform the ancestors and announce the marriage.
The Lo Lo wedding ceremony takes place in a solemn atmosphere, and everyone’s participation plays an important role. In front of the bride’s house, corn wine is poured into bowls to invite the groom’s family. After that, both sides will sing duets and proceed with the bride’s procession. Lo Lo weddings often take place in natural surroundings, close to nature, and with the enthusiastic participation of the community.
Funeral customs: The funeral customs of the Lo Lo people are considered important and solemn events in their culture. The Lo Lo believe that when a person passes away, they embark on a new journey in the afterlife. Therefore, in Lo Lo funerals, there are unique rituals and activities to show filial piety and bid farewell to the deceased and send them off to reunite with their ancestors.
In the funeral ceremony, the Lo Lo people often wear masks, dance, and perform acrobatics to create a joyful and warm atmosphere. These activities are seen as a way to commemorate the departed and ensure that they will have a happy new life beyond.
Afterwards, families always remember their deceased loved ones by performing food offerings on the 15th day of the 3rd, 4th, 7th, 9th, and 12th lunar months. This is a way to honor and remember the departed in the hearts of the Lo Lo people.
The wedding and funeral customs of the Lo Lo people in Dong Van – Ha Giang not only carry significance for family and individuals but also demonstrate loyalty and respect for ancestors. These customs are an integral part of the culture and traditions of the Lo Lo people, creating unity and connection between generations.
We hope that the information about the Lo Lo people in Dong Van – Ha Giang has provided you with insights into the diverse culture of this Northeastern mountainous region. MIA.vn wishes you an exciting and joyful journey.
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