Legend has it that long ago, there was a young Ta Oi man named Ta-tui who was very intelligent and strong. At the time, local people did not know how to cultivate nor raise livestock, so they had a very hard life. Ta-tui learned ways of growing rice and raising buffaloes from other villages and came back to help the villagers.
The villagers escaped from hunger and some even became rich. Ta-tui also helped locals to build the village’s communal house, so they could gather to exchange views on village issues.
When Ta-tui died, God turned him into a very strong buffalo – very useful for the locals. To keep his image, respect and remember him, the Ta Oi people make ‘a quat’ cake, the two ends of which look like buffalo horns, to celebrate significant events such as Tet or a new rice crop.
The ingredients to make the cake include black glutinous rice (locally known as ‘nep than’) which has a gentle fragrance and sweet soft flavour.
The cake is wrapped in fresh forest leaves known as ‘la dot’ (thysanolaena latifolia), which should not be too old nor too young, otherwise, they might tear. The cake has two points representing buffalo horns.
After being wrapped up, the cakes are tied in couples; the larger cake represents a man and the smaller a girl. The cakes are soaked in water for two hours before being boiled, to ensure that they are soft.
The boiled cake has a pinkish-black colour. Nowadays the cake is not only made for big holidays such as anniversaries, Tet or wedding parties but also for dear guests visiting the A Luoi Mountains.
Ta Oi women keep traditional brocade weaving alive
Zeng weaving (a kind of brocade) is a standout craft of Ta Oi ethnic minority community in A Luoi mountainous district, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue province. The craft has been preserved through many generations with women playing a significant role in teaching their daughters to weave “Zeng” patterns.
Ta Oi people’s brocade weaving craft recognised as national cultural heritage
NDO—The traditional craft of ‘zeng’ (brocade) weaving of Ta Oi ethnic group in A Luoi District, Thua Thien–Hue Province was recently recognised as national intangible cultural heritage under a decision issued by the Minster of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Ta Oi ethnic minority preserve traditional Zeng weaving
The traditional craft of Zeng (brocade) weaving has long been the pride of the Ta Oi ethnic group in A Luoi district, Thua Thien–Hue province.
Buffalo in Vietnamese culture
The upcoming Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the Year of the Buffalo – the second animal in the 12-year cycle of the Vietnamese zodiac. In the minds of many local people, the buffalo is associated with production and wealth creation. Many cultural activities introducing images of the animal have been opened to welcome in the Year of the Buffalo.
Fine art exhibition greets Party and Lunar New Year
NDO – A fine art exhibition officially opened in Hanoi on February 1 to celebrate the success of the 13th National Party Congress, the founding anniversary of the Party and the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival.
