(HBO) - For many generations, gong has become an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the Muong ethnic group. Being one of the few people living in Hoa Binh City, who owns the Muong ethnic gongs, Mr. Dinh Van Nien (Moi Mit village - Yen Mong commune) always respects and preserves the precious gong set of his family.

The Muong ethnic gong set - the pride of Mr.
Dinh Van Nien is always being placed in the most prominent position and most
visible in the house.
Although being passionate about gongs since
he was very small but in 1994, when he became a cultural officer of Yen Mong
commune, Mr. Nien was able to collect and buy Muong ethnic gongs. On his
working days in the commune, he began to save a part of his salary to buy
gongs. Having done continuously in 15 years, in 2009, his gong set was full of
12 pieces.
Previously, he loved to play and watch
playing gongs. He did not have one at his home, so he had to borrow from the
women in the village. Every time there is a need, he had to go around the village
to borrow a few gongs for playing. Borrowing for a long time made him so
embarrassed; he bravely bought the gongs for his own. At that time, his commune
staff salary was only about 500,000 VND / month. He had to feed the family,
support for the children’s study,he had to save every change to have enough
money to buy each gong. Most of these gongs were bought from Thanh Hoa, Ha Nam
and some other places. A set of gongs can have 7 or 9 pieces but the standard
set of Muong ethnic group must be 12 pieces resembling for 12 months of the
year. Each gong carries a different sound. Despite difficulties, he still tried
to buy a set of 12 pieces because "12 months to make a new year, 12
different sounds to create a piece of Muong ethnic music."
Since his family had gongs, at festivals or
cultural exchanges events, he has lent them to the women in the local. Mr. Nien
said: "In 2015, Yen Mong commune received the title of the new rural
standardized commune. His gong set, together with gongs from other households were
up to 50 gongs, were performed by the art team at the ceremony. Especially, on
the occasion of the 55th Anniversary of Uncle Ho's visit to the Hoa Binh Youth
Vocational School, the gong team of the commune was honored to contribute
special performance, contributing to the opening ceremony of the Relics Area
more exciting and deep of ethnic culture. The gong has been displayed in his
house for many years and he considers it as a member of the family, an integral
part of his life."
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.