(HBO) – The Hoa Binh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the province has surveyed the Mo Muong heritage so as to assess its situation and work out orientations for preserving and bringing into play this heritage in an effective and appropriate manner. The survey, completed in March, covered all factors relevant to the heritage, from people, objects to documents.
Mo
Muong artisans are one of the relevant factors covered by the survey so as to
compile a dossier seeking the UNESCO recognition of the cultural heritage.
The survey is important to the compilation of a
State-level scientific dossier to be submitted to UNESCO to seek the inclusion
of Mo Muong in the list of the intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent
safeguarding in 2025. It is also critical to improving the Muong ethnic group
and nationwide people’s awareness of this heritage’s value.
Under the provincial People’s Committee’s Plan
No. 220/KH-UBND, dated November 25 last year, Hoa Binh has set up a steering
committee and an organising board for the dossier compilation, organised
fact-finding trips and seminars on Mo Muong, held meetings to discuss the
compilation, and conducted surveys of Mo Muong in some other localities, namely
Son La, Thanh Hoa, Phu Tho, Dak Lak, and Hanoi./.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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