My encounter with this tribe was one of my most poignant experiences over the course of my search for the 54 ethnic groups. On several occasions, I have faced difficulty finding original costumes, in most cases it is due to a lack of interest from younger generations who judge the traditional costume as rather tedious to make or inappropriate for modern day living. But, in the case of the Raglai, the reason is much more complex. Their story reveals the challenging relationship that can develop between ethnic groups and national unity. After the war, many Raglai decided to burn their costumes, denying their own uniqueness to blend in with the Kinh. As a consequence, the costume – traditionally made of brocatelle – almost disappeared, and was replaced with a basic single colored sarong, or Kinh clothing. The chief of the village shared with me his concerns regarding the future recognition of his culture, a feeling shared by Pi Nang Thi Xea, 85, who entrusted me with her costume.
