Unique Si la Costumes
The si La is one of the smallest ethnic groups in Vietnam, numbering among the 54 ethnicities in Vietnam. Primarily residing in the Muong Nhe district of Dien Bien Province and Muong Te district of Lai Chau Province, Si La people are known for their distinctive traditional attire. This vibrant clothing serves more than just an aesthetic purpose; it acts as a window into Si La culture, clearly reflecting age distinctions and marital status within the community.
The Si La are also very discerning in their use of headscarves to distinguish between unmarried girls and married women. Hu Co Xuan, a Si La artisan from Seo Hay Hamlet in Can Ho Commune, explains, "There are two types of headscarves worn by Si La women, including white and black ones. The white scarf is for unmarried girls, while the black scarf is for married women. This distinction not only helps outsiders recognize whether a woman is married or not, but it also holds a sacred significance for those who are married, symbolizing their love and fidelity to their husbands".
Si La women's shirts are made from black brocade fabric, with short, formfitting bodies. The neckline, sleeves, and hem of the shirt are adorned with colorful embroidered lines or patches of contrasting fabric. The standout feature of the shirt is the front bib, embellished with sparkling silver coins, enhancing the women’s beauty. This bib is adorned with 72 silver coins or metal pieces arranged in nine horizontal rows for decoration.
Si La women's skirts are a type of fully enclosed, black-colored garment, extending from the waist to the ankles. Each skirt consists of two distinct parts: the waistband and the skirt body. The waistband is a contrasting strip of fabric, about 20cm wide. The red embroidered hem of the skirt is particularly eye-catching. Made from silk or cotton threads in green, the waistband's ends have various colorful fabric patterns, and it serves to securely hold the skirt wrapped tightly around the waist.
As for traditional Si La men's attire, they typically wear wide-legged trousers, a front-slit tunic with button fastenings, a standing collar and two or three pockets, in blue-black brocade, always accompanied by a white headscarf. However, nowadays, Si La men have transitioned to wearing Western-style clothing entirely, akin to the Kinh people.
Due to cultural fusion with other ethnic groups, traditional attire among the Si La is quite intricate, so they primarily reserve it for special occasions such as festivals, weddings and significant village events. This practice not only showcases the uniqueness of Si La culture but also serves as a means for the Si La to preserve and uphold their ethnic identity.
By Cong Dat/VNP Translated by Nguyen Tuoi