Tong tap cac dieu mua Tai

Collection of Tai dances

(from left)
- Dance with shawl (called xe khan in Tai language).
- Dance with paper fan (called xe vi in Tai language).

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These Tai dances were originally a folk performing art. And later refined as a professional/royal performing art in the 19th century, in the reign of Deo, a leader of Tai ethnic branch in Lai Chau province.

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Reasons for selection

Traditional dances are a well-known performing art of Tai people in general and particularly of the Tai in Muong Lay district- Lai Chau province. In the context of rapid social-economic changes, these dances are on the verge of disappearing.

Area where performed

Muong Lay district, Lai Chau province

Essential elements of the performing art

Music, Dance

Detailed explanation

These dances were originally a folk performing art. And later refined as a professional/royal performing art in the 19th century (in the reign of Deo, a leader of Tai ethnic branch in Lai Chau province). At that time, dance competitions were organized annually by Deo leader,with participation of dancers' team from districts Muong Chien, Muong So and Muong Lay. Muong Lay (called Muong Lay district nowadays)was famous for its dancers' team.

Dance instruments are mainly Tai utensils in daily life, such as: paper pan, shawl, hat with fringed chin strap.

Traditional musical instruments used for these dances include: a kind of stringed instrument called tinh tau in Tai language, a bunch of small bells that can make sound as a result of movement of player's hand. There are varieties of dances, each dance has its own name in accordance with kind of dance instrument or dance movement.

Publication and textual documentation

not yet available

Audio documentation

already available

Visual documentation

already available

Institution/organisation involved in preservation and promotion

Viet Nam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies

Data provider

Ms. Hoang Son
Head of Traditional Culture Section
Viet Nam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies
Address: La Thanh dyke Street, O Cho Dua, Dong Da district, Hanoi, Viet Nam