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The Dao people are a colourful and proud people. For at least four hundred years they have lived in small communal villages amongst the rice-terraced mountains of Sapa. Welcoming and generous, the woman, who are much less shy than the men, will quickly grab you by the arm befriend you and compare how many children you have, where you are from, how old you are....
There homes are slightly larger than then the H’mong but similar in design. In the homes, you will find the mothers and daughters cooking and sowing after long days of gossip and laughter in the rice paddies and corn fields. The boys often take part in caring for the livestock, and the men are usually responsible for the heavier labour. Sometimes not at home, they are on a multi-day work expedition far in the mountains of Sapa collecting wood for the construction of homes or preparing far-away fields.
Religion plays an important part in the life of the Dao family as well as the Dao community. A form of Taoism and ancestor worship is practiced. The Dao language is an extension of Chinese and is written in Chinese symbols and is an important part of their culture.
The most distinguishing feature of the Dao is their large red headdress worn by the woman. The younger girls wear a smaller version. Experts in brocade and silver smithing, their skilled craftsmanship is at the centre of their marital system. In fact, a girl will not be married until she has mastered the art.
It is when you get a little closer and meet these wonderful and inspiring woman that you notice how striking and phenomenal their ethnic dress truly is. Taking at least six months to complete, their dress is adorned with detailed cross-stitched symbols of the Dao culture. Flowers and trees help tell part of a story of the wearer’s life, age, and status.
The Dao culture can be found in Southern China, where it is believed they originated as well as across Laos and Thailand. They are also called the Yao and Mien.