(HBO) - As introduced by Bui Thi Thien Tan – an official of the provincial museum staff, I contemplated every stone artifact displayed in the lively and warm space. There are over 300 artifacts on display here which have become "messengers of time" to relive unique values of Hoa Binh Culture.
Photo: Official of the provincial museum introduces stone
artifacts of Hoa Binh Culture
Tan said the most feature of Hoa Binh Culture is the collection of tools made
from pebbles. By combining technical methods of splitting, grinding, cutting,
hewing, sawing, residents of Hoa Binh Culture has made many tools such as long
and short blades and axes, stone hoe, hinged axe with shoulder. They also made
some tools from pieces of stones, bones, horns and shells. These are
rudimentary tools, bearing the value of a unique prehistoric culture.
"Hoa Binh Culture is defined as a link between the old stone age (Son Vi
Culture) and the new stone age (Bac Son Culture)".
Next to the space for stone-age artefacts is a display of "Fine Arts in
Hoa Binh Culture", which proves that artistic activities of Hoa Binh
Culture appeared. If visitors look closely at each object, they could see some
patterns engraved on stones or bones, mostly geometric patterns such as
parallel lines, concentric circles or simple drawings such as water waves, comb
teeth, fish bone. Besides art, residents of Hoa Culture Binh had their own
aesthetics concept. They knew how to make simple and vivid jewelries. From
bones and shell fishes, they knew how to drill hole and cross thread to make
delicate and pretty bracelets, necklaces, earrings.
In the "Cave Model” space, the museum relived part of lives of prehistoric
people of Hoa Binh Culture.
The display was part of celebrations for the 85th anniversary of the world’s
recognition of Hoa Binh Culture. In 2017, the museum showcased outstanding
values of Hoa Binh Culture, with hundreds of stone artefacts – "messengers of
time” over the past hundreds of thousands of years imbued with Hoa Binh Culture
– an attractive prehistoric culture that contains mysterious and long-lasting
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.
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