A Neu pole, a tall bamboo tree with red garment strips used to dispel evil spirits during Tet (Lunar New Year) festival, was erected at Hue Imperial Citadel in Thua Thien-Hue province on January 28.
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Neu pole installed at Hue Imperial Citadel to welcome Lunar New Year
(Photo: tintucvietnam.vn)
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The installation
of the tree is a traditional ritual practice of the Vietnamese people to mark
the beginning of Tet.
The
15-metre long bamboo pole was carried out by a group of 10 men who were
dressed in the uniform of soldiers under the Nguyen Dynasty.
They were
accompanied by a guard of honour and a band of royal court music to join a
procession from Hien Nhon gate through Thai Hoa Palace to arrive at the
Ancestral Temple, where emperors of the Nguyen dynasty are worshipped.
Two other
Neu pole were also installed at Trieu Mieu and Long An temples at the
Imperial Citadel at the same time.
Also on the
occasion, the Hue Relics Preservation Centre hosted a programme offering
visitors a string of activities, including royal games, calligraphy and
martial arts performances, traditional dragon and lion dances, and a chung
(square) cake making contest.
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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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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