(HBO) - From the high level of the agreement from the local people, at the end of April 2013, Group 10, Thinh Lang Ward (Hoa Binh city) deducted funds to buy a full set of 12 Muong gongs, which was worth 24 million VND. The Party Secretary, Ms. Bui Thi Dinh, used to be a great gong artist; therefore, she already revised by herself and taught other women how to play the ancient gong songs such as: đi đường (travelling), bông trắng (the white flowers), bông vàng (the yellow flowers), bến rậm (crowded harbor), and sông bờ (the bank river). The Group also invited good artisans in other places to come and teach them more.
The members of Women's Group 10, Thinh Lang
Ward (Hoa Binh City) practiced the ancient gong songs.
Up to now, the gong team of Group 10 is
the first volunteer gong group set up and operating in the area of Thinh Lang
Ward. The space of gong culture is not only a priceless inheritance but also
the pride closely related to the lives of many generations of Muong ethnic
people. In order not to be extinct, the gong culture needs preserving by the
owners' consciousness to produce and possess this invaluable heritage. It is
also the responsibility determined by the local people in Group 10.
Not only performing at all the events of the
Group, Ward, the gong team of Group 10 in Thinh Lang Ward has also participated in the important events of
Hoa Binh City, Hoa Binh Province for over the past 5 years and has been highly
evaluated. For example, at the 120th anniversary of the foundation of Hoa Binh
city, the Provincial Sports and Physical Training Festival, etc. These deep
impressions of those great events which are known to friends all over the
country have the contribution of those simple persons but being aware of the
importance of keeping the beauty of traditional culture.
"From the day we got the gong set,
the women are very excited. Although we are busy, we can also arrange the time,
the family’s work to gather in the culture house to participate in training. In
the important occasions, we are willing to cheer and support by the gong
sounds. Preserving the national culture identity is the joy and pride of the
women and the local people of the Group 10. "- Ms. Nguyen Thi Xanh, a
member of the Women Association of Group 10 delightedly shared.
Pong ... ... peeng ... pong ... Muong gong
melody is still resonating in the heart of the city despite the excitement of
modern life. The sound of the traditional melody seems to make people more
joyful and funny.
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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