The long communal house “Guol”, traditional to the Co Tu ethnic group in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, was inaugurated in Aka village, Thuong Quang commune, Nam Dong district on August 22.
The long communal house “Guol” of the Co Tu ethnic group
in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue
The construction was part of the “Restoring and Preserving the Traditional Communal House for the Co Tu Ethnic Group” project carried out by the Hue University of Science, the Viet Nam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies in Hue, and Japan’s Kyoto University.
The project was built at the total cost of 316 million VND (13,588 USD), 125 million VND of which was non-refundable aid from the Japanese university. It aims to support locals in rebuilding Guol in traditional methods, from materials to construction, architecture, and decoration.
Vice Rector of the Hue University of Science Ha Van Hanh said that the Guol, where many traditional festivals are held, holds various cultural characteristics of the Co Tu people. As the Guol has become a thing of the past in recent times, the restoration of the structure is significant to preserving and popularising the special traditions of Co Tu culture.
Revival of the Guol in A Ka village relied much on local people, who contributed their labour to the building over two years, he said, adding that his university will continue its support for the locality in implementing activities related to the ethnic group and assist with architectural and cultural preservation of other ethnic minority groups in the province.