(HBO) - Muong ethnic group’s traditional wrestling is both an unique traditional folk game and a sport for youths. Every New Year when spring comes, Muong traditional wrestling is revived at festivals, apart from fun sports such as crossbow shooting, tug of war, stick pushing and volleyball.

Muong traditional wrestling has existed for thousands years. In the past, locals competed in wrestling matches, not only during spring festivals. During the opening of the 2020 Khoi communal house festival in An Nghia commune, Lac Son dsitrict, the revival of Muong traditional wrestling was welcomed by the public.

Meritorious Artisan Bui Huy Vong from Huong Nhuong commune, Lac Son district said traditional wrestling was an official sport at the district sports festival in 2017. It is not only a folk game but also a religious ritual during festivals. The game is quite simple, only requiring a few movements to play. But to play well, experience and techniques are needed to win rivals. Also according to him, the game is the most popular in former Lien Vu commune (now Vu Ban township).

In Muong Khenh area, Van Son commune, Lac Son district, a temple (now already demolished) was dedicated to Chuong Tin and Trieu An (legend has it that they were generals of Trieu Thi Trinh) – who led the people against the Wu enemy. According to the legend, apart from training soldiers in crossbow shooting, they also included Muong wrestling into a compulsory training session each day for soldiers. Every three years, on the full moon day of the second lunar month, the Muong people hold a big festival. Traditional wrestling and crossbow shooting have become religious rituals to remember Chuong Tin and Trieu An who trained soldiers in the past.

This game is usually held on flat grounds or clean sandy beaches, without any sticks or gravels to ensure the safety of wrestlers. Only two opponents join each round. When entering the match, both must absolutely obey the referee's instructions. The winner will be promoted to the next round, while the loser will be out of the game.

Muong traditional wrestling is quite diverse in style and trick, but there are some basic steps such as preparation, also known as "catching" (hugging), during which the two wrestlers step to face, with straight back and chest rubbing close together, and then hand out hugging behind the opponents’ belts on the principle of inside and outside hands. This step requires straight back naturally, feet placed in parallel with the opponent's on the principle inside and outside legs. When the two sides do not break the rules of catching, the referee will order them to compete.Whoever falls to the ground or is dropped to the ground is defeated. The rules seem to be simple, but the way to play the game makes it hard for the opponent to use bad tricks or fraud.

Nowadays, many modern sports have gradually replaced Muong traditional wrestling. In the coming time, the provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism Department is expected to pay more attention to preserving and upholding traditional cultural values of the nation, including Muong traditional wrestling./.