“Cham do ho” – attractive and unique cultural event of Tho ethnic people

In the central province, the Tho people mainly live in such mountainous districts as Nhu Xuan, Nhu Thanh, and Thach Thanh.

Like other ethnic minority groups in Thanh Hoa province, customs play a special role in the cultural life of the Tho people. They demonstrate the connection among people of the ethic group in daily life activities and festivals.

Mortar and pestle are familiar tools of the Tho people. In the hustle and bustle of life, Tho families still keep the tradition of pounding rice as an inevitable part of their life, both to make the meal more delicious and to save the cultural beauty of the people.

With the sound of drums, gongs, and musical instrument, which were used to scare away wild animals in the past, the Tho people create a special cultural festival, titled “Cham do ho,” during which people sing, dance, and relive their daily activities. 

Below are photos of the special festival of the Tho ethnic minority people.

The Tho ethnic women making farming tools illustrating songs and dances at the festival

Tho boys and girls playing tug of war

Holding cultural exchange after working days creating a beautiful cultural feature of the Tho ethnic minority group

Locals’ farming activities relived at the “Cham do ho”

The sound of drums, gongs, and musical instrument played by boys mixed with the rice pounding dance by girls becomes an attractive and unique cultural activity of the Tho people in Thanh Hoa.

Translated by Tran Hoai