(HBO) - Historically, Quen Thi village in Cao Duong commune, Luong Son district was born a few hundred years ago. At first, there were only seven households from other places to settle here. Later, it developed into a village called Trai Mit village, which is now called Quen Thi village. About 300 years ago, the people of Quen Thi village built a communal house to worship the Gods Tan Vien Son, Cun Truong Thung, and the Citadel of the village.
Quen Thi Communal House in Cao Duong commune (Luong Son) was built nicely, meeting the spiritual needs of the local people.
It is not only is a religious place, the village communal house is also a meeting place to discuss the village’s matters. The communal house was built in the middle of the field, looking the south. In the east, west and north there are limestone mountains that cover the village campus. Quen Thi communal house has been expanded into seven compartments, with a harem and it was built with precious wooden. The communal house was degraded over the time. In 1996, the people of Quen Thi village contributed their labor and money to rebuilding the communal house at the right old place to worship the gods, Tan Vien Son and the Citadel of the village.
During the year, Quen Thi communal house often holds five main festivals, in which the spring festival on the 12th of January is held the most solemnly. The festival includes the ceremony to hold the palanquin procession of Duc Mau's incense bowl to the eldest communal house. After the ceremony stopped at the right place, the folk games, antiphonal singing, cultural and sports activities take place. These activities always attract the people of the whole village to participate. On April 4 of the lunar calendar, the communal house held a ceremony to pray for water plating. The village’s shaman prays for good rain, good weather and good crops. On 12 June of the lunar calendar is a ceremony to go to the field. The village’s shaman prays the gods, the heaven and earth for the permission to go to the field. After the ceremony, the villagers are allowed to go transplanting in the fields. The 18th August of lunar month is a ceremony to wash rice leaves. At this time, rice is standing and easily being damaged by pests and other diseases. The people in the village pray for good weather and no pests and diseases can destroy the crops. On the 12th of October, the new rice ceremony is celebrated. At this time, rice begins to be collected home. This is a ceremony to thank the gods, the heaven and earth to have helped them with the good harvest, the prosperous and healthy business and good health.
As part of Project 6 under the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2024, Lạc Sơn District, Hoa Binh province focuses on diverse and practical activities to promote the project's goal: "Preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional cultural values of ethnic groups in conjunction with tourism development."
After 3 years of implementing Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU, dated October 11, 2021 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values of Hoa Binh province's ethnic groups in the period of 2021 – 2025 with the orientation to 2030 (NQ04), it has mobilized the participation of the entire political system, the people from all walks of life and there have been positive changes. So far, out of the 10 targets of NQ04, 3 targets have been met and exceeded the plan set for 2025. Typically, 70% of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of ethnic groups in the province is on the list of the national ICH items and they have been protected and restored, exceeding 20% of the proposed Resolution.
Great National Unity Day has been recently celebrated in Duong hamlet, Vay Nua commune, Da Bac district, in an atmosphere of warmth and community spirit. The event highlighted national identity and strengthened the bond of solidarity among residents.
On November 28, the People's Committee of Cao Phong district organized the Cultural and Sports Festival of Cao Phong district's ethnic groups in 2024.
