HBO - The People’s Committee of Cao Phong township coordinated with the management board of Bong Lai Thuong temple in organising the Bong Lai Thuong temple festival 2019 on March 6-7.
Bong
Lai temple worships De Nhi Thuong Ngan Tien Nuong (The second Mother
Goddess of Forest, goddesses
and saints from four palaces). The temple was built under the reign of King
Thanh Thai (the Year of Tiger in 1890). However, due to time, the temple
severely degraded, and there are only some old vestiges left in the land of the
temple along with the existence of Thien Thai cave and several other majestic
caves in the Dau Rong (dragon head) Mountain.
Thanks
to the spiritual and material support from the local authorities and residents,
manager of the temple Tran Van Hai decided to restore the temple. In 2012, the Bong
Lai Thuong temple was recognised as a national cultural and historical relic
site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The
procession of the female saint from Bong Lai Thuong temple to Dong Son temple.
The
Bong Lai Thuong temple festival features the procession of the female saint
from the Bong Lai Thuong temple to the Dong Son temple, which worships the
second Muong God Dieu Tin and Zen master Cao Son, and then from the Dong Son
temple to the Bong Lai Thuong temple; worshiping rituals; and the 16-line
sacrifice Hanh Lanh Giang Vong.
Festive
activities include art performances and sport events.
Gong
performers of Cao Phong join the procession of the female saint from Bong Lai
Thuong temple to Dong Son temple.
Lion dancing at Bong Lai Thuong
temple festival 2019.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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