Mo is a term referring to a profession and cultural heritage which integrates folk beliefs with folk culture and arts. Practiced at funerals and religious rituals by the Muong ethnic people, it aims to provide spiritual comfort during significant life events such as illness and death.
Shaman Bui Van Sinh in Yen Phu commune, Lac Son district performs
Mo Muong rituals at Mai da lang vang (the stone roof of Vanh village).
Mo Muong is the Muong people's unique and
significant cultural heritage which leaves deep influences on many aspects of
their lives for generations. It embodies profound humanistic, cultural, and historical values, as well as the linguistic and literary traditions of the
Muong people. Mo Muong can be considered a "folk encyclopedia” on the ethnic
minority group. It consists of three main elements: wording, worship ritual,
and practitioners, with wording playing the most crucial role.
In general, Mo Muong is a collection of oral
verses that are passed down through generations. During rituals, a shaman
chants Mo verses and chapters in specific melodies that align with the content
and purpose of the ceremony.
Mo artisan is the person who performs these
sacred chants. Currently, there are approximately 200 Mo artisans in Hoa Binh
province. In Muong communities, they are highly respected and known as thay mo,
po mo, or ong au, but thay mo (shaman) is the most common title. Throughout
history, Mo practitioners have been spiritual pillars for the Muong people,
guiding them through life's uncertainties.
Mo profession refers to those who earn a living
through this practice. This job requires training, often passed down within
families. A distinctive feature of shamans' attire is their hats. In the Lac Son
district, when conducting funeral ceremonies, shamans wear hats shaped like two
forward-facing wild buffalo horns, symbolizing power and spiritual authority.
These red hats and their decorative bands are embroidered with sacred animals
such as turtles, dragons, phoenixes, birds, and fish each representing their
outlook on life. Shamans also carry khot, a fabric bag containing sacred
objects used for self-protection and warding off evil spirits during rituals.
Mo encapsulates the cultural essence of the
Muong people. Within its poetic verses, Mo preserves ancient folktales,
legends, myths, and epics. These narratives reflect history, explain natural
phenomena, and convey ancestral wisdom. Notably, Mo Muong serves as a vital
repository of the ancient Muong language. Many geographical names, plant
species, rivers, and streams mentioned in Mo Muong correspond to real places
within Muong territories, apart from mythological realms.
Moreover, Mo Muong reflects the Muong people’s
philosophy of life, their worldview and perceptions of the universe which is
believed to have three levels and five worlds, along with their production
experience, calendar, plant classification, and knowledge of interacting with
nature.
Mo Muong also embodies folk religious beliefs,
including ancestor worship, veneration of the progenitor of Mo, rituals for the
living, plant worship, and sacrifice rites, as seen in Mo buffalo, Mo cow, or
Mo chicken
Today, Mo continues to be cherished by the Muong
people. Despite adaptations in funeral practices, Mo rituals remain an
essential part of their traditions. The number of roong mo, similar to chapters
in literature, has been minimised, retaining only the most crucial ones for
ceremonial purposes. The values of Mo continue to accompany the Muong people into
the future as a foundational cultural element.
In 2015, Hoa Binh received the sponsorship of
the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations for its Mo Muong. One year later,
the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a decision adding it to the national
intangible cultural heritage list. In 2020, the Prime Minister ordered building
a dossier for Mo Muong seeking its inclusion in the UNESCO List of Intangible
Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. These developments further
highlight the enduring significance of Mo Muong as a treasured cultural
heritage.
The most prominent and defining feature in the prehistoric era of Hoa Binh is the Hoa Binh Culture. The Culture was first discovered in Hoa Binh. The significant prehistoric culture represents not only Vietnam but also Southeast Asia and southern China. Through excavations of cave sites in the limestone regions of Hoa Binh, French archaeologist M. Colani introduced the world to a "Stone Age in Hoa Binh province – Northern Vietnam" in 1927. On January 30, 1932, the First Congress of Far Eastern Prehistorians, held in Hanoi, officially recognised the Hoa Binh Culture.
Known as the "Land of Epic History”, Hoa Binh province, the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, boasts a strategic location and a unique cultural tapestry woven by its ethnic minority communities.
The People's Committee of Luong Son District recently held a ceremony to receive the certificate recognizing Sau Communal House in Thanh Cao Commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural site.
Recognising the importance of cultural heritage preservation in protecting and promoting the value system of Vietnamese culture, and serving socio-economic development in the new period, Party committees and local administrations in Hoa Binh province have identified it as a key task in the cultural development strategy. The province has been making efforts in mobilising resources, creating consensus among people and engaging ethnic communities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.
Hoa Binh province has captured growing attention both domestically and internationally for its distinctive cultural heritage and rich history. Most notably, it has been renowned for its famous Hoa Binh culture, considered the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilisation. Looking ahead to significant milestones in 2025 and the 140th anniversary of province establishment in 2026, Hoa Binh Newspaper presents a comprehensive overview of the province's development across economic, social, cultural, tourism, and security domains.
Authorities in Luong Son district have officially recognised Sau communal house in Thanh Cao commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic site.
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