(HBO) - Ky Son district held a ceremony on April 24 to mark 110 years since the uprising against the French colonialists of the Tong Kiem – Doc Bang insurgent troops (1909-1910) and to receive a certificate recognising the base of this uprising as a provincial historical and cultural relic site.
Vice Chairman of the Hoa Binh provincial People’s Committee
Nguyen Van Chuong presents the provincial historical and cultural relic site certificate
to officials of Ky Son district.
The uprising of the Tong Kiem – Doc Bang troops
was the first and only among uprisings against French colonialists of ethnic
people in the northern mountainous region in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries to launch an attack on and successfully occupy the province’s capital.
The uprising, which lasted from April 15, 1909
to January 20, 1910, caused great damage to the administration of French
colonialists in Hoa Binh and forced them to adopt a softer ruling policy in
ethnic minority areas, thus creating favourable conditions for Vietnam to later
build a revolutionary base under the Party’s leadership. Despite being
defeated, the uprising was a milestone in the history of combating foreign
invaders of local residents.
It inherited ancestors’ traditions and inspired
patriotism among the following generations on the path to the August Revolution
that led to Vietnam’s
independence in 1945, as well as Hoa Binh’s feats of arms during the resistance
war against the French colonialists.
The Tong Kiem-Doc Bang uprising’s 110th
anniversary is an occasion to look back on the local patriotic tradition. It is
also a pride of people of different ethnic groups in Ky Son district and Hoa
Binh province.
At the ceremony, officials also announced the
decision of the chairperson of the Hoa Binh provincial People’s Committee to
list the base of the uprising as a provincial historical and cultural relic
site./.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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.