The poetry in Doi (opposite) singing of Muong ethnic people

2/19/2020 - 10:21:47 AM

(HBO) - Doi singing, also known as Vi or Dum singing, - a form of cultural activity has existed since the time of "Laying land and laying water” of Muong ethnic people. In the modern life rhythm, with the introduction of many types of culture and arts, Doi sing has no longer kept its vitality as in the old days. However, the singing filled with poetry, showing the skillful response is still an attractive spiritual dish in the area of Muong in the province.

Doi singing is a special cultural activity taking place in daily life of Muong ethnic people. Photo taken at Ngoc Lau commune (Lac Son).

Doi singing, in fact, is a conversation, confrontation in the daily life of Muong ethnic people. The space for Doi singing can be on the fields, in the roof of a stilt house or anywhere. The difference here is that the words of the heart, the story is "set to music”, so it has the rhythm, making people "drunk” each. In the past, each Muong village had good singers of Doi, who is respected by the people in the village. Therefore, whenever there is festival in the village, the good singers of Doi are hunted. The criteria to asses a good singer of Doi are very strict. In addition to possessing a sweet and rich voice, that person must be very active with rhyming and rhythmic words like rhyme of poetry. Due to the attractiveness of Doi singing in Muong villages, there used to be a lot of singings overnights. Many people were so passionate about their singing that they became husband and wife.

Rhyming and rhythmic words to create good singing is essentially a rhyme like the rhyme of sin-eight-word distich meter. That is, the sixth word of a six-word sentence must rhyme with the sixth word of an eight-word sentence. Folk artists have also applied this principle to compose Muong songs. For example, Mrs. Bui Thi Xuan in Voi hamlet, Lien Vu commune has composed dozens of Muong songs for many years. In the book recording dozens of songs of Mrs. Xuan, we all realize that if we do not "set to music” in accordance with the Muong folk song, these are all poems composed in the form of sin-eight-word distich meter.

The quality of poetry in Doi singing is expressed not only through the principle of composing many similarities with the form of sin-eight-word distich meter, but also through romantic images or the rhetoric that the singers in Muong villages have skillfully been using. In particular, the topic of love singing clearly expresses the way that boys and girls of Muong cleverly use the metaphorical images to express their feelings.

In short, it is the soft rhyming and the use of subtle rhetoric that have created an appeal for the sentences of Doi singing of Muong ethnic people. Although Doi singing has gradually disappeared, in remote and upland areas, Doi singing is still a popular lifestyle of Muong ethnic people. Especially, in the happy spring days, welcoming the New Year, the sentences of Doi singing resound in Muong villages and in folk festivals in early spring.

Hoa Binh’s cultural heritage: Muong Gongs, a timeless cultural treasure

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, promoting Muong cultural heritage: Upholding Muong culture into contemporary life

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.

Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

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.

Preserving Muong community’s identity – Journey from tradition to modernity: Part 1 – Exploring Muong culture region

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.

Traditional festivals of Hoa Binh: A rich cultural heritage

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 – National intangible cultural heritage

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.