Promoting the intangible cultural values

12/20/2020 - 6:12:40 PM

(HBO) - There are 6 main ethnic groups living together in the province. Muong ethnic group is the largest, accounting for 63%; Kinh people account for 27.7%; Thai, Dao, Tay, Mong and other ethnic groups account for 9.3%. The ethnic groups have not only the common cultural characteristics and beliefs, but also the unique and diverse traditional culture and beliefs of each ethnic group. The majority of ethnic groups still retain the basic features in their national customs and beliefs. The heritage values of literature and art, language and hand writing are preserved; the folk knowledge and costumes are kept at an average level.

The women in Thinh Lang ward (Hoa Binh city) often use gongs in important local festivals or events.

Over the past years, the appropriate uthorities have developed programs and action plans on the culture and conservation, promoting the values of the intangible cultural heritage. Specifically, up to now, they have invested in the restoration, embellishment, preservation and construction of a traditional cultural village, dozens of cultural and community villages at the provincial level; nearly 30 scientific topics on the culture and the ethnicity have been carried out; nearly 50 classes of folk art transmission, hundreds of ethnic minority literacy classes have been invested to be carried out; 59 festivals have been restored and maintained.

Based on the inventory results of the intangible cultural heritage of the ethnic groups in the province, from 2013 the Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee have had a policy to allow to collect, research and set up scientific record for 2 intangible cultural heritages, that is Mo Muong Hoa Binh and Muong Gong Hoa Binh, and they have asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to decide to recognize them in the list of the national intangible cultural heritage in 2016. The have set up the record for the intangible cultural heritage of Mo Muong Hoa Binh to submit to UNESCO as a typical intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection.

Determining the the intangible cultural heritage of the Hoa Binh ethnic groups as the invaluable property left by the ancestors to the younger generation today and tomorrow, is the soul of the national culture. The work of preserving and promoting the cultural heritages is of great importance in educating the young generation about the national cultural and historical traditions. Besides, it is also a means to introduce and promote the images, the land and the people for domestic and foreign tourists, creating conditions for the implementation of Hoa Binh tourism development strategy, contributing to the growth of the province’s social economy. Recently, there have been positive signals about the conservation among the people such as the development of the traditional festival system, the development of Muong gongs, the value of Mo Muong and the role of the shaman are respected and honored by the people. There have been many classes of teaching the hand writing of Dao, Tay, Thai, and Mong ethnic people and how to perform Muong gongs and dancing..., expressing that the people's consciousness have had positive changes. People are proud of theỉ own intangible cultural values, so they have a sense of conservation and promotion.

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.