(HBO) – An amateur art festival has been held in Luong Son district, Hoa Binh province, drawing about 300 artists and artisans from 16 local communes and towns.
A Chieng (gong) performance of Tan Vinh commune, which
wins second prize of the festival
The event featured nearly 60 performances of singing
and dancing and concert of traditional instruments, extolling the Communist
Party of Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh as well as landscape and people of Hoa
Binh. The event highlighted the province’s culture and activities towards major
national events including the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September
2).
According to the organising board, art teams thoroughly prepared for the
festival with various content and costumes. Many performances were meticulously
staged and practiced, leaving deep impression on the audience.
At the festival, Cao Thang commune won the first prize, while Tan Vinh and
Trung Vinh communes came at second. The third place was shared by Cu Yen, Nhuan
Trach and Cao Duong communes.
Besides, three outstanding performances claimed the first prize, six
performances bagged the second and nine ones claimed the third.
Phuong Thao
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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.
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