(HBO) – The Vietnam Women’s Union’s chapter in Kim Boi district in collaboration with the centre for culture-sport and tourism on April 8 organised a rural trade fair to honour standout economic models. A show featuring traditional costumes was also held as part of the event.
Featuring
30 booths of 28 communes and towns and several organisations in the districts,
the fair introduced a wide range of local staples like traditional dishes,
vegetables and fruits as well as traditional medicines.
The event was organised to popularise local agricultural products, contributing
to developing a complete value chain for the farmers. Also, it helped raise
public awareness of the importance of safe food to consumers’ health.
Participants join performance of
traditional costumes at the rural fair.
Particularly, a performance of traditional costumes was organised in the
framework of the fair, drawing the participation of 155 people from 31
organisations in the district. It aimed
to preserve traditional cultural values in general and local costumes in
particular. This was also part of the activities to celebrate the 60thfounding anniversary of Kim Boi district (April 17, 1959-2019).
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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