(HBO) - When Spring comes, Mong people’s villages in the communes of Hang Kia and Pa Co (Mai Chau district) are bustling with the sound of pounding "banh day” (sticky rice cake). Every Lunar New Year (Tet), local people gather together to make the soft and delicious cakes from steamed sticky rice.
For the Mong people, "banh day” is not only an offering to worship
ancestors on the occasions of the Lunar New Year or other festivals, but also a
dish for guests, especially those from faraway.
The custom of making Banh
day of the Mong people in Hang Kia and Pa Co communes (Mai Chau district) is performed
in festivals.
"Banh day” of the Mong people is known as "Pe” or "Dua” in the Mong language.
For them, the cake has a sacred meaning like "banh chung” of the Kinh. "Banh
day” represents the sun, which is the origin of all things and species. On the
other hand, it also demonstrates the purity and faithfulness of the Mong
people.
The pounding of "banh
day” is a typical custom of the Mong, which reflects the strength and desire
for a happy life, thus requiring those who pound the cake to be strong.
Therefore, it is always performed by healthy and muscular young men.
The pounding must be done in rhythm until the rice becomes supple and smooth. The
more you pound, the softer the cake becomes and the longer it can keep.
The pounding of cake also shows solidarity and discipline in the community.
The women are responsible for preparing leaves for wrapping "banh day” cakes. Dong
or banana leaves must be cleaned and dried before they are used for wrapping. The
round cakes demonstrate the skillfulness of the women.
When travelling to Mong village in Tet
holidays, I always buy dozens of "banh
day” to give as gifts to my friends and relatives. To enjoy the full flavour of
"banh day”, the cake should be baked on charcoal or cut into small pieces and fried
until crispy crust, and be eaten with fish sauce or honey.
Along with traditional dishes
such as corn wine, hill pork and chicken, "banh day” is always an attractive
dish that everyone wants to taste in the most important festival of the Mong
people./.
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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