The ancient Muong area of Muong Dong – Kim Boi is experiencing a cultural resurgence, becoming a popular source of spiritual enrichment and drawing locals from walks of life.
Kim Boi district prioritises teaching of
traditional culture to younger generations
Cultural and art activities have flourished not
only in Vinh Dong commune but across the district, fully meeting local creative
and recreational needs. Traditional folk performances such as Muong gong
ensemble performances, and folk songs and dances of the Muong and Dao ethnic
groups, as well as Mo Muong rituals and other spiritual activities in
festivals, are being increasingly preserved and promoted. The annual Muong Dong
festival, held on the 8th day of the Lunar New Year in Vinh Dong commune,
attracts numerous amateur performers to cultural activities, processions, and
gong performances.
Having recorded these achievements, yet
community-based cultural and art activities are facing hurdles such as limited
funding, lack of land for cultural houses, recreational spaces, and training
grounds, as well as inadequate infrastructure and equipment, especially in
remote areas.
Looking ahead, Kim Boi district plans to enhance
the leadership and direction of Party Committees and local authorities in
promoting grassroots cultural activities. Key focuses include improving the
quality of community cultural life through the movement for national solidarity
in building cultural lifestyles, completing cultural facilities and supporting the
formation of cultural and art clubs and performance troupes, promoting
traditional folk arts to create cultural products rich in ethnic identity;
effective management, planning, training, and nurturing of staff responsible
for cultural affairs; proposing policies and investment levels for public art
activities, and arranging specialised training and political education for
artists and folk artisans, renewing the activities of relevant clubs and
professional associations to unify and inspire creativity among artists and
artisans, while encouraging public engagement in preserving and passing down
traditional cultural values.
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
.jpg)
