(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.
The 10th art festival for the armed forces, youths and students of Hoa Binh province celebrating the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and 35th anniversary of the All People’s Defence Day wrapped up on April 25.
Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.
The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.
Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.
If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.
Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.
