(HBO) – Khenh Communal House in Van Son commune of Hoa Binh province’s Lac Son district has been named a provincial historical – cultural relic site. The certificate presentation ceremony was held by the district People’s Committee on July 9 with the participation of officials from the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Lac Son district.
An official of the Hoa Binh Department of Culture, Sports and
Tourism presents the certificate recognising Khenh Communal House as a
provincial historical – cultural relic site.
The long-standing Khenh Communal House, located
in Rang Thien hamlet of Van Son commune, is dedicated to the persons who
contributed to the fights against invaders and the reclamation of this land and
were honoured as tutelary gods by local residents.
In the past, a festival was held at the communal
house in the first lunar month every three years. This was an important and
large cultural and religious event featuring many unique rituals and folk
games. Apart from the main festival in the first lunar month, this communal
house was also the venue for several other traditional festivals in a year.
As time went by and under the nature’s impact,
the original communal house no longer existed. Between 2017 and 2019, thanks to
funding from the communal budget and local donors, it was restored, covering
about 75 square metres.
Khenh Communal House has since become a venue
for cultural and religious activities of the local populace. Not only people in
Lac Son district or Hoa Binh province but those from far and wide have also
come here to pray for wealth, bumper crops and successes.
Given the communal house’s historical, cultural
and scientific values, the Hoa Binh provincial People’s Committee issued
Decision No. 13/QD-UBND on January 6 to include the site in the list of
provincial historical and cultural relics. This is a legal basis for the
management, conservation and promotion of the site’s values, thereby attracting
more visitors and contributing to local cultural conservation and
socio-economic development./.
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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