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(HBO) - Chieng Chau commune (Mai Chau district) held the Xen Muong festival in 2018. It was attended by leaders from District Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, leaders of specialized departments, leaders of district throughout the periods, and many local people in the area.
This year is the 9th year of Xen Muong
Festival held in Chieng Chau commune. The festival is divided into two main
categories: the drum beating ceremony part, the Mo person and delegates,
visitors perform worship, thurify at the Temple of Lang Bon. The festival part
is invested with the cultural performances of greetings full of Thai ethnic
cultural identity performed by art performance teams in the commune. Also at
the festival, there were some cultural activities, art performances, folk
games, tug of war, volleyball, gamechicken, display of traditional cuisine,
etc.
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A folk dance performed by Thai ethnic folk
artists at the festival.
According to the history of the Thai ethnic
people, "Xen Muong" festival began in the 13th century; it was
organized with the purpose of expressing gratitude to the gods who enlightened
Muong and it was also an opportunity for people to pray heaven and earth for
good weather, green seasons, to send great wishes for a peaceful and warm life
in the village./.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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