(HBO) – Up to 91 percent of the households of the specially disadvantaged commune of Doc Lap in Hoa Binh city belong to the Muong ethnic minority group and 7.3 percent to the Dao. Many of their cultural identities are still preserved today as seen in their languages, customs, and daily life activities. Besides, cultural and sports activities have also greatly helped with promoting those values.
The gong team of Noi hamlet in Doc Lap commune (Hoa
Binh city) has regularly practiced and performed at festivals and other events,
helping to honour and preserve cultural values.
Bestowed with favourable conditions for
socio-economic development in all fields, Can hamlet is also known as one of
the Muong ethnic villages with rich identity. Not only using the Muong language
in their daily life, local residents also frequently wear traditional costumes
on big events, anniversaries, and festivals.
Dinh Van Minh, Secretary of the Party cell of Can
hamlet, said locals have stayed united to assist one another in economic
development and carry out movements and campaigns, including those on
developing a civilised lifestyle, abolishing backward customs, combating
crimes, and upholding cultural identities.
A club of traditional culture was established
here, attracting a large number of local residents, he said, noting that the
gong team of the elderly and cultural teams of women and young people have
shown many unique singing, dancing, and instrumental performances.
Muong Dao, a less privileged hamlet, derives its
name from those of the two ethnic groups residing here. Among the 170 local
households, 123 are from the Muong ethnic minority group and the rest, from the
Dao.
Nguyen Dinh Tuong, Secretary of the Party cell
of Muong Dao hamlet, said Dao people are well aware of the importance of
preserving their cultural identities. likewise, Muong people also respect and
maintain their group’s traditional cultural practices.
He added that the solidarity among the local
ethnic groups could be seen via cultural and sports activities at the great
national solidarity festival held in November 2020.
The preservation of cultural identities in
mountainous Doc Lap commune has spread across the remaining hamlets of Noi,
Nua, Mui, and Song.
Vice Chairman of the communal People’s Committee
Nguyen Van Phong said every year, local authorities build and implement plans
to uphold and bring into play traditional cultural identities.
Communications have been stepped up via local
meetings and campaigns. In particular, the Doc Lap Primary and Junior High
School has organised extracurricular sessions to educate students on conserving
the Muong culture, which have engaged hundreds of teachers and students,
according to the official.
Besides, sports activities have also helped with
cultural conservation. Folk sports like cane pushing, crossbow shooting, and
stilt walking have proved attractive to local residents.
This year, due to complex developments of
COVID-19, cultural activities have been suspended since the year’s beginning to
minimise mass gatherings.
Earlier, a wide range of cultural and sports
activities were held at the great national solidarity festival in late 2020,
helping to preserve and honour cultural identities of local Muong and Dao
people./.
The 10th art festival for the armed forces, youths and students of Hoa Binh province celebrating the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and 35th anniversary of the All People’s Defence Day wrapped up on April 25.
Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.
The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.
Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.
If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.
Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.