(HBO) – The People’s Committee of Yen Tri Commune has organized a traditional festival of Hang Pagoda – Chua Cave at Hang Pagoda in Yen Tri Commune, Yen Thuy District.
The gongs system leading the procession up to
Hang Pagoda
On Lunar January 14th, there were
exchange activities of sports and art performances "Happy Party – Happy
Spring”. On Lunar January 15, the festival were held with the activities of:
procession, lion dance, shuttlecock throwing , the final match of volleyball
competition, etc.
In 1994, Hang Pagoda – Chua Cave was
recognized by the Ministry of Culture as a national historical-cultural relic.
Since then, on the first days of the Lunar New Year, Yen Tri commune jubilantly
opened the Hang Pagoda Festival. It is an annual traditional festival held on
the occasion of the full moon of Mid - Lunar January with the purpose of
praying for the security of nation and people, for good weather and good
harvest. It is a beautiful combination of Buddhist culture and traditional
culture. Coming to the festival, the people and visitors could see the unique
pagoda scene in the cave; then they could light the incense to respectfully
pray the Buddha for fortune, talent; and then participating in cultural
exchanges and folk games.
This year, the festival was held at the
commune level. The highlight of this year's festival is the volleyball
competition exchange which took place very actively with the participation of
volleyball teams of Lac Son district and Nho Quan district (Ninh Binh
province).
Local people and visitors from everywhere
dedicating the offer, lighting the incense to pray for fortune, talent and
peace for a new year.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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