(HBĐT) - April 19 is the annual Ethnic Cultural Day in Vietnam, celebrated since the 2008 Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1668/QD-TTg, and Hoa Binh province played host to a variety of cultural activities to recognize the day.
Gau Tao Festival of the Mong people of Hang Kia and Pa Co communes (Mai Chau
district) attracts a large number of people.
Hoa Binh is home to six main ethnic groups, and
each is paid homage by exhibitions of their costumes, music, customs, and
festivals. The resolution of the provincial Party Congress for the 2020-25
recognizes culture as one of the driving forces for the province’s
socio-economic development.
In implementing the resolutions of 13th national Party
Congress and the 17th provincial Party Congress for the 2020-2025
tenure, Hoa Binh continues to compile a scientific dossier for UNESCO in
recognition of the Mo Muong epic as intangible cultural heritage.
The provincial People's Committee recently
issued a plan to implement a project on preserving intangible cultural values
of indigenous groups in Hoa Binh from 2020 to 2030. The local ethnic groups
include the Muong, Thai, Tay, Dao and Mong peoples in 10 districts and cities
in the province.
This year's Vietnam Ethnic Culture Day marks the
90th anniversary of global recognition of the Hoa Binh culture. To commemorate
the day, the province will introduce a thematic exhibition of 500 original stone
and bone artifacts, along with 100 documentary photos depicting Hoa Binh culture.
This year’s Ethnic Culture Day is an opportunity
to educate people on the traditions, national pride and sense of responsibility
for preserving and promoting national cultural traditions. These acts contribute
to consolidate and strengthen national unity by honouring the cultural identity
of ethnic groups. This is also an opportunity for ethnic groups in the
community to understand each other, to unite for economic development, and to
preserve the fine traditions of the past./.
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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