(HBO) – An interesting cultural relic of the Mong ethnic group in the northwestern region of Vietnam is that of the "ném pao” or ball throwing. It is not merely a folk game but represents much more to the ethnic traditions of the Mong. Nem Pao is a unique form of partnership and happiness that can lead to much more for ethnic Mong couples.
Mong ethnic women in Hang Kia commune,
Mai Chau district are throwing the ball (Nem Pao) on a spring day.
Images of Mong women busily sewing the last stiches on clothes and colourful
pao flow into the spotlight as visitors drop by the Hang Kia and Pa Co communes
in Mai Chau district. Colourful pao is made from linen cloth, stuffed with
flaxseed. According to Mong ethnic beliefs, the linen and flax balls are
colorful symbols of happiness and represent fertility and future partnership
within the community.
Pao making has been passed down through generations. Trumpet and khen (pan-pipe)
dances help men to find their partner, and pao are the equivalent symbol of
partnership for women.
A simple game, pao throwing carries great cultural value in that it allows men
and women to introduce and meet each other around the pao symbol of happiness.
The cultural phenomenon results in couples first meeting and transitioning into
becoming husbands and wives.
According to Sung Thi Mua, a local in Hang Kia hamlet, Hang Kia commune, it is
the Mong ethnics’ tradition that women should yield their paos in the spring to
start a season of fertility and partnership.
"We are passing down the making of pao and ball throwing festivities to younger
generations, and in doing so, perpetuate the Mong cultural traditions”, Mua
said.
Sung Y Mai, a brocade weaving artisan in Hang Kia commune, said Mong men want
to marry a woman who is good at weaving, embroidery and sewing pao.
"A good Mong woman must know how to make a good pao”, she said, explaining a
good pao must have tight stitches and it should be the perfect shape.
Nem
Pao is held at the yard of the local cultural houses or at the pitch, during
which two teams, each with three-to-ten men or women, throw the linen ball and
ensure it does not fall to the ground. While playing, women and men exchange
glances, smiles, and affection. After the game, if the woman and man feel the
love, the man will keep her pao and express his admiration on a subsequent
visit to her home. The goal, of course, is a lifelong partnership between them,
based on sewing skill and enjoying the cultural festivities together.
Nowadays,
life in Mong villages has changed drastically. The Mong people are paying due
attention to preserving their cultural values by integrating traditional games
into extra-curricular activities at the local schools.
According to Vang Y Sai, a teacher of Hang Kia Primary and Secondary School, in
a bid to preserve and develop folk games, the school carries out a wide range
of measures to encourage both students and parents to join folk games on regular
afternoons.
Together with ball throwing, other folk games like "đánh yến” (rooster feather
shuttlecocks), tu lu (traditional version of spinning tops), "đẩy gậy” (stick
pushing) and "ném còn” (còn throwing) have been well preserved by the Mong
ethnic in Mai Chau.
The games are not only a vivid illustration of Mong men’s strength and bravery
and the skillfulness of Mong women, but they also raise hope for a happy and
prosperous life./.
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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