(HBO) - Mai Chau district recently organised an art performance festival for the masses, themed ‘Keep singing the marching song’. The event attracted the participation of 300 artists from 13 communes and towns across the district.
Participating troupes brought to the show 40 acts, many of
which were self-choreographed, reflecting their creativity and local cultural
characteristics.
A number of impressive musical performances included Duong chung ta di (Our way) and Hat mai khuc quan hanh (Keep singing the
marching song) by a troupe from Mai Chau town; as well as Bai ca Ho Chi Minh (The ballad of Ho Chi Minh) and Sac Xuan (Colours of Spring) by another
from Pa Co commune.
The festival rounded off with 20 prizes given to outstanding
participants. The Mai Chau town troupe won the first prize, while the second
and third prizes respectively went to those of Pa Co and Na Phon communes. Van
Mai commune, meanwhile, secured the consolation prize./.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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