(HBO) – Various cultural and art activities extolling the Communist Party of Vietnam and the new spring were organised in many localities of Tan Lac district in the northern province of Hoa Binh, creating a joyful feeling for local people in the first days of the Lunar New Year.
Art teams
perform at the 2018 Muong Bi festival.
Deputy
Director of the Tan Lac District Culture - Sports Centre Nguyen Thanh Tra said
that the Culture - Sports office under the centre has devised communications
plans ahead of the 2018 Lunar New Year (Tet) in accordance with instructions issued
by the local People’s Committee.
Preparations
for those activities were carried out before, during and after Tet.
Dissemination of information was launched through many forms, including
posters, art performances and sport events, in order to create an exciting
atmosphere and strengthen national unity, as well as seek for approval of
people for policies of the Party and the State.
Especially,
an event was held at the communal house on the last day of the Year of the
Rooster by the centre, featuring nearly 20 performances that were thoroughly set
up. In addition, on the first days of the new lunar year, cultural - sports
events and folk games were held in all localities of the district, attracting
many local people and contributing to the preservation of traditional values.
Local
artistic performances have been widespread in Tan Lac district. To date, all
localities have their own art troupes and clubs. Most of the teams have between
15-25 members who share the same interest for singing, dancing and folk
culture. During festivals, local people are immersed in practice and performances,
regardless of gender and age. The lively atmosphere could be found everywhere and
people enthusiastically prepared for their parts. Visitors could be lost in
melodies which mingled with the unique sound of this place’s mountains and
forests.
The performances also
disseminated policies and regulations of the Party and the State through
contents of songs and plays. Whether they are remade or original works, the
performances are very alluring since they are voices from the local people’s
hearts that extol the country and their work. Cultural activities have awaken
the local people’s artistic abilities and made their life more diverse.
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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