(HBO) - Muong Vang in Lac Son district is one of the four biggest and best-known Muong ethnic areas in Hoa Binh. With 90 percent of the local population being Muong ethnic people, the district has always paid special attention to the preservation and development of the local traditional cultural value.
Residents in Mu village, Tu Do commune (Lac Son) still keep the traditional
cultural characteristics in their brocade products
As
part of efforts to conserve the local intangible cultural heritage, the
district has revived a number of traditional festivals such as Coi Temple
festival in Vu Binh commune, the procession of Khu Dung cave spirit in Nhan
Nghia commune, the Xuong dong festival to pray for bumper crop in Yen Phu commune,
and Du Voi festival in Vụ Ban township.
Several
historical and cultural relics in the district have been recognised as
provincial-level relics, namely Cay Si Temple, Truong Kha Temple and Thuong
Temple in Vu Ban township, Mau Temple in Vu Binh commune and Mu waterfall
scenic spot in Tu Do commune.
Surveys
have revealed that local residents are keeping over 3,000 sets of gongs. Local
authority has held classes for young people to learn the art of gong from
elderly people. At the same time, the
district also organizes gong performance and folk singing competitions along
with Muong ethnic costumes shows to promote the traditional culture.
Besides,
the district has paid attention to maintaining the brocade weaving craft in Luc
hamlet, Yen Nghiep commune, and rattan weaving in Bui hamlet, Nhan Nghia
commune, which helps preserve the traditional cultural identity and serve
tourism at the same time./.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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