(HBO) – The Hoa Binh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently launched an exhibition on antique bronze drums found in the province. The opening ceremony was attended by Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Chuong along with representatives from some departments and sectors, and over 100 students across Hoa Binh city.
Nguyen
Van Chuong, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and other
delegates cut the ribbon to kick off the exhibition.
Bronze drums are treasures left by ancestors since
the nation’s foundation. The Dong Son culture dated back to the first century
BC was seen as the most brilliant period of development of bronze drums in
Vietnam. So far over 1,000 bronze drums have been found, mainly in northern
provinces.
In Hoa Binh alone, the cradle of Hoa Binh
culture, more than 100 ancient bronze drums of all kinds have been uncovered,
ranking second nationwide in the number, after the north central province of
Thanh Hoa.
Ancient bronze drums in Hoa Binh are mainly of
the Heger II type (over 90 percent). They are dated from the first century to
the 17th century.
The drums were discovered in almost all
districts in the province. Apart from some drums found in ancient Muong tombs,
the remainder was mainly uncovered by chance when locals dug ditches or built houses
and roads.
On display at the provincial museum were nearly
200 documents and objects featuring the origin and values of ancient bronze
drums.
The exhibition is one of the activities to
welcome the Hoa Binh culture-tourism week 2019 with the aim of introducing the
local bronze drums and unique culture of ethnic groups in the province./.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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