The southern province of Binh Phuoc announced the Prime Minister’s decision to recognise an ancient Loc Hoa lithophone as a national treasure during a ceremony in the provincial museum on August 28.
A musician performs on ancient Loc Hoa lithophone. (Photo: VNA)
The lithophone, found by a local farmer in 1996, is among 24 artifact sets
honoured as national treasures by the PM in the sixth series of recognition
last year.
Bui Huu Trieu was digging in his garden in Village Eight, Loc Hoa Commune, Loc
Ninh District, when he found 12 pieces of an ancient musical instrument lying
next to each other in size order. After informing the communal
authorities about it, he continued to discover another 14 pieces of the
instrument.
Since its discovery, the Loc Hoa Lithophone has been studied by many state
agencies, as well as experts both at home and overseas, who believe the
instrument was created by ancient peoples more than 3,000 years ago.
The recognition of the Loc Hoa lithophone as a national treasure shows the
distinctive culture of the ancient Vietnamese in Binh Phuoc, said Deputy
Director of the Binh Phuoc Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Do Minh
Trung at the event.
Pham Huu Hien, Deputy Director of the Musuem of Binh Phuoc said the museum will
exhibit the lithophone for public view, adding that it will promptly draw up
plans to safeguard the artifact and promote its value.
Source: VNA
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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