(HBO) – At the age of 45, shaman Bui Van Minh, 53, a native from Man Bui village, Van Son commune, Lac Son district, was awarded with the title of People's Artisan by the President. In 2022, he was honoured with the title of People's Artisan in the category of social customs and beliefs. He became the first person in the province to receive this distinction.

 People’s Artisan Bui Van Minh performs religious rituals at Dinh Khenh festival in Van Son commune, Lac Son district.


The old stilt house located at the foot of Mountain Khu Khenh has been Minh's living place since his childhood. It is also a space where he proudly displays and introduces artifacts that he has collected throughout his life. Nearly 1,000 artifacts, ranging from stone tools to Muong artifacts, are being preserved and stored by him.

Minh said since he was 15, he has been searching and collecting ancient artifacts and rare treasures of the Muong ethnic people in caves around Muong Vang. With a deep passion and understanding for the preservation and conservation of traditional cultural values of ethnic groups, he has travelled throughout the four Muong regions (Bi, Vang, Thang, Dong) to acquire these items for his collection. Among items on display in the stilt house, there are many that are considered "one-of-a-kind", such as the water pot of Ha Thi Teo, the beauty queen of Muong land, the adopted child of Quach Vi, head mandarin of the Muong region in the early 20th century; the sword of King Khai Dinh (1885-1925), and a set of 40 Muong gongs from the Tran Dynasty (1225-1440). These priceless artifacts contribute to shaping the rich history and unique cultural heritage of the Muong people and Muong land in Hoa Binh.

Besides, Minh inherited the craft of shaman from his father, becoming the custodian and practitioner of the intangible cultural heritage of Mo Muong customs and beliefs. In particular, he made significant contributions to founding the Mo Muong club in Lac Son district, which brought together nearly 50 artisans. Along with other members, he regularly self-improved to have a full understanding of culture, political ideology, revolutionary thought and scientific thinking. He actively collected storytelling pieces to teach young shamen.

He himself spent much time joining in activities of the clubs that preserve the cultural identity in schools, with a passion for educating and passing on traditional cultural values to the younger generations.

According to Tran Cong Lam, head of the Lac Son district Party Committee’s Commission on Information and Education, Minh is a source of pride for the Muong ethnic people and deserves to be a role model for everyone to learn from and follow./.

 


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