The Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, in the Dong Mo tourism area of Son Tay town in Hanoi, is hosting a programme celebrating the cultural diversity and customs of the Central Highlands region this June.
Gong performances are an indispensable part of the programme
The programme has attracted around 90 ethnic people from 12 groups in
the region, including Ta Oi, Co Tu, Raglai, E De, and Khmer, among others.
The programme introduces visitors to folk songs and
lullabies of the Central Highlanders, as well as the making of their
traditional musical instruments and cloth weaving.
A cooking contest, gong performances, sporting events and
folk games are also indispensable parts of the month-long event.
Notably, children visiting the village can register for a
free training course on experiencing the Buddhist monastic life. During the
two-day courses, on June 2-3 and June 16-17, participants will learn about
Buddhist rituals and Buddha’s teachings on humanism and being a well behaved
child.
During June, a number of traditional festivals of ethnic
groups will be held in the village, such as a new house warming ceremony by the
Cham group from Ninh Thuan, and the ceremony of brotherhood and longevity
celebration by the Ede
people in Dak Lak province.
Source: NDO
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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