Over the years the Co Tu people in the Truong Son area of the Central Highlands have developed and modernized but have been able to retain much of their cultural identity. Still popular in their group is weaving cloth, making bamboo and rattan baskets and ceramic ware. In Cong Don Village , Duoih Commune , Nam Giang District of Quang Nam Province , the Co Tu ethnic people still grow cotton, spin fibre, make dyes and weave fabrics with decorative patterns using the old traditional methods.

The centrepiece of the Co Tu village is the Guol, or what many people would refer to as the town hall. Here the most important decisions pertaining to the village are made. The Guol also serves as a place to greet important visitors, display hunting trophies, cultural wares and relics. When not being used by the village elders, the Guol serves as an entertainment centre.

Through festivals the Co Tu celebrate many of nature's wonders plus community achievements. Among the agricultural rituals the Chaharoo teme (celebrating the new rice) is most notable. Also included in the community’s festivals are the Cha bhoi (ceremony of twinning two villages) and celebrating the new Guol.

The Co Tu group has a rich history in the performing arts. Ly, a particular style of singing and speech, expresses one’s feelings about the difficulties in life in a metaphorical manner.nbsp; Many of the group’s folk songs are very passionate, such as Ba booch and Bho nooch. The Co Tu ethnic people possess many types of musical instruments, such as gongs, drums, horns, cymbals, flutes, panpipes, abel, to brech alui, tul, goronuna, ahen, aluot, bham, etc.

They have unique dishes, particularly the specialties of bamboo-tube rice, rice spirit or zra dish, and of course the traditional wine, ta vac, called dak ta vac in the Co Tu language. Their diet is full of cultural identities of the group.

The traditional cultural values have created the unique features in the life of the Co Tu ethnic group.

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By Tan Vinh