Village customs change according to the Law
More than 20 years ago, when Tay Giang district, Quang Nam was re-established (2003), a large area along the eastern Truong Son range was almost "empty of traffic". The Chairman of the People's Committee of B'Riu Liec district was famous for the feat of having the most pedestrians in the country. The district chairman and officials, leaders of the district and commune all had to walk when attending meetings, going to the grassroots... then of course the people also had to walk. Many villages were deep in the middle of the old forest, wild like a fairy tale. Beautiful, but very poor and backward. The whole year, the whole district had almost no traffic accidents.
But just over 20 years later, everything has changed. Up to now, Tay Giang has more than 500km of highway. 10/10 communes have highways to the commune center, and have been "covered" with electricity and internet. 100% of villages have completed the concreting of rural roads...
The speed of socio-economic development is very fast, but old customs and habits cannot change quickly. On holidays, weddings, and parties, villagers are all drunk. Some people and families get drunk for days on happy and sad occasions. And the bad thing is that traffic accidents appear more and more. The roads are deserted, the vehicles are old, the drivers have not studied the law, do not wear helmets... and speed and drive recklessly when drunk.
Too worried, the village elders, village chiefs and commune officials have to "stand on the street" every time there is a holiday or a party or wedding in the village to control. They stop the vehicle, smell the mouth, and if they detect the smell of alcohol, they temporarily impound the vehicle. But the measure of checking "alcohol concentration" by smelling the mouth of the village elders is not always effective. So, after many meetings, a new regulation was born: "Confiscation of motorbike keys during holidays and Tet". This rule was born in the years after 2010, in some villages in Tay Giang.
When it cannot be managed by law, use village rules.
Former leader of Tay Giang - also a Co Tu culturalist, Mr. B'Riu Liec said that the Co Tu people value community spirit. They may not listen to advice, but if it is a village convention, everyone must follow it. If the village elder gives an order, it must be obeyed.
That is why the custom of collecting motorbike keys before festivals by village elders and village chiefs has been effective. Only in urgent cases, such as taking a sick person to the emergency room, are exceptions considered. Anyone who violates this rule will be fined chickens or goats, a form of deterrence according to the customs of the Co Tu community.
At first, some young people objected, but when they understood the meaning of this action, they voluntarily complied. Now, instead of having to go to the village to collect, people proactively go to the Guol house (the Co Tu community house) to hand in the keys, showing their consensus and self-awareness. This convention has spread to many different villages in Tay Giang.
Banning motorbikes during Tet is not only a traffic safety measure, but also shows the community’s concern and responsibility for each member. In the highlands, where life is still difficult, the Co Tu people always find their own ways to protect and build a better life.
When the law cannot cover every corner, village conventions become effective "laws" that people voluntarily comply with, in order to have peaceful and complete Spring days.
