(HBO) - Over their long history, the Muong ethnic group in Hoa Binh has created and preserved a rich and diverse folk culture, in which the Mo Muong is a prominent and unique one that has profound human values. Generations of Muong people have passed down Mo Muong verbally, giving vitality and popularity to this special intangible cultural heritage.
Shaman Bui Hong Bao in Tan
Lac district’s Phong Phu commune performs a Mo ritual.
Mo Muong is a rite of reciting Mo (poetry) during rituals of the Muong
people, in which the Thay mo (shaman) plays the main role. The shaman knows by
heart not only tens of thousands of lines of Mo but also traditional
rituals and customs. In Muong society, the shaman is an intellectual and a
reputable person in the community.
Mo Muong recitations are part of 23 Muong rituals, including funerals, in
which tens of thousands of Mo lines are recited throughout 12 days and
nights, which demonstrates the essence and core values of the Mo tradition.
Currently, there are many collections of Mo versions, of which three main ones
have been published.
In order to well preserve and promote the intangible cultural heritage, the
provincial Party Committee has issued many important documents in the field of
culture, which identify Mo Muong as one of the heritages that need to be
preserved and promoted.
The provincial People's Committee has established a Steering Committee for Mo
Muong Hoa Binh and built a plan to make a scientific dossier on Mo Muong which
will be submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to seek
recognition of Mo as part of the national heritage, looking toward seeking
recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
In 2018, the provincial People's Committee approved two projects on preserving
and promoting the typical intangible cultural values of the Muong ethnic group
in the 2018 - 2030 period and preserving and promoting the values of Mo Muong
Hoa Binh cultural heritages in 2019 - 2025 periods and the following years.
Party committees, authorities and relevant agencies have carried out
synchronously solutions to protect and promote the value of cultural heritage
in general and Mo Muong heritage in particular in a scientific manner. They
have also popularized the value of heritage, thereby raising awareness and
responsibility in jointly protecting cultural heritages among local residents.
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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