For the Ha Nhi ethnic group, preserving their traditional costumes is an act to preserve their unique culture.
Ha Nhi community is divided into three branches, including black Ha Nhi, Ha Nhi Co Cho and Ha Nhi La Mi. The two latter branches are also called Ha Nhi Hoa. If the costumes of the black Ha Nhi use black and dark-blue as the main colors, the costumes of the Ha Nhi Hoa, use more vibrant and sophisticated colors.
According to researchers, the traditional costumes of the Ha Nhi Hoa people are very sophisticated. A full outfit of the women includes: blouse, hat, belt, and brassiere. The blouse has two layers, the short outside and the long inside. The sleeves are given special attention. Looking at the sleeve, we can distinguish a married woman from a young girl. The blouse is embroidered very sophisticated with red, white mixed with yellow and blue stitches as the popular colors.
Meanwhile, the black Ha Nhi people have simple and elegant costumes, which have only a combination of black, blue and white indigo. However, decorative patterns are also sophisticated.
Men’s costumes are simple and have deeper colors. A full outfit consists of shirt, pants, and head scarf. The colors are mainly black and indigo. There are two types of clothes for work and rituals. The outfit for work includes short shirt and pants while the ritual outfit consists of headscarves, long blouse and pants.
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| Black Ha Nhi women in traditional clothes at Y Ty fair (Bat Xat district – Lao Cai province). |
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| Black Ha Nhi women’s headscarves are also used to distinguish age and family circumstances. Older, married women often wear scarves and large wigs on their heads. |
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| Người Hà Nhì có nhiều loại mũ, dành cho nhiều loại đối tượng khác nhau. Mũ cho bé trai thì có tua rua vải, màu sắc khá sặc sỡ. |
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| A Ha Nhi man. |
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| Unlike the black Ha Nhi people in Lao Cai, the costumes of the Ha Nhi Hoa women in Sin Thau (Muong Nhe district – Dien Bien province) are very colorful and sophisticated. |
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| The common thing in the costumes of the Ha Nhi is the brassier with elaborate patterns, silver buttons and silver coins. |
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| The highlight of the costume of Ha Nhi Hoa ethnic women is the colorful colors created by unique embroidery techniques, expressing their conception of life and worldview. |
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| Like the Ha Nhi people in Dien Bien province, the traditional costume of the Ha Nhi Hoa in Ka Lang (Muong Te district – Lai Chau province) is very sophisticated. A full outfit of the women includes: blouse, hat, belt, and brassier. |
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| An important part of their outfit is the hat, which is made of fabric, embroidered with many patterns and decorated with silver coins, and cotton balls made from colorful threads. |
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| The elderly Ha Nhi ethnic women in the border commune of Ka Lang (Muong Te – Lai Chau) always wear traditional clothes during daily activities. |
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| The elderly Ha Nhi ethnic women in the border commune of Ka Lang (Muong Te – Lai Chau) always wear traditional clothes during daily activities. |
Le Anh Dung
The Cao Lan, one of two branches of the San Chay living in a number of northern mountain and midland provinces, often wear their traditional clothes to celebrate important life events, spring ceremonies, and festivals.
