(HBO) - The melody of Vi and Doi singing, lullabies, Thuong Rang and Bo Meng singing is now resounding, spreading along with the renewal of life throughout the villages of Muong Bi. They sing not only on the occasions of festivals, and cultural and artistic exchanges, Muong folk songs are becoming more and more popular through the lullabies, when men and women declaring their love to each other, Sac Bua singing in the festivals of early spring, Thuong Rang singing when working in the fields and gardens...
The folk song is a special spiritual dish,
which is indispensable in the activities of the Khai Ha Festival in Muong Bi in
2020.
In recent years, along with preserving the
cultural identity of Muong ethnic people in general, they have also paid
attention to keeping and developing Muong folk songs.
In 2019, together with 2 classes teaching
gong lessons for about 60 learners, the district opened a class with the
participation of 30 people from the district's highland hamlets and communes to
teach Muong folk songs in Chien hamlet, Van Son commune. According to the artist
Bui Thi Mien in Phong Phu commune, who directly teaches folk songs, the study
is increasingly attracting people of different ages.
Many elderly people also want to
participate and follow up to deepen the melodies of the nation and the
homeland. In particular, after each course, the learners can promote the
knowledge and skills they learned to bring the folk songs closer to life,
improving the quality of cultural and artistic movements at the grassroots
level and the enjoyment of the spiritual culture of the people.
In addition to the artisan Bui Thi Mien,
there are dozens of knowledgeable and dedicated artisans in the district,
contributing to conserving and preserving folk songs.
In recent years, the awareness of the value
of Muong folk in particular and the cultural identity of Muong ethnic people in
general have been aroused in the community. In 2017, the first club preserving
the national cultural identity was launched in Ngoi hamlet, Suoi Hoa commune.
In 2019, another more club preserving the national cultural identity was
established in Dinh hamlet, Man Duc town. The clubs have been promoting gong
teaching, folk tunes, folk dances, Doi singing, Thuong Rang and Bo Meng
singing, and maintaining the costumes of the ethnic people, preserving their
identities through spoken words.
Determining not to let Muong folk songs
fade away, the district has focused on other practical and specific solutions
such as coordinating with the Department of Education and Training to open the
classes teaching folk songs within the students' extra-curricular activities.
Thereby, they have helped them understand the value of folk songs and
consciously preserve folk songs. They have been organizing the festive
activities to enrich the cultural and spiritual life of the people as well as
to introduce the cultural identity to tourists from all directions. They have
also regularly been organizing cultural performances and cultural exchanges of
the communal clusters to encourage and evaluate the quality of the mass
cultural and artistic movements. As a result, the folk tunes such as Sac Bua,
Thuong Rang and Bo Meng singing, which have been gradually popularized in the
life of Muong Bi 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.